Effectiveness of Youth Economic Empowerment Scheme in Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

The broad objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of youth economic empowerment scheme in Niger State. The specific objectives were: to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the beneficiaries, identify the Various economic empowerment strategies put in place, examine the different economic activities engaged in by the beneficiaries, ascertain the level of income accruing to beneficiaries and their perceived effectiveness of the programme. A total of 179 beneficiaries were purposively selected from the three geo- political zones of the State. Structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results showed that the mean age was 22 years. Majority of the beneficiaries considered the empowerment scheme as effective in the areas of training and skills acquisition .(74.3%) as well as provision of financial assistance (78.2%), while provision of equipment/working tools was considered ineffective by 31.3% of the respondents. Chi Square analysis showed significant relationships between type of economic activities engaged in by the respondents and the effectiveness of training /skills acquisition 65.10, df= 8, P < 0.01), effectiveness of the provision of equipment/working tools (if = 55.57, df= 8, P < 0.01) and the effectiveness of financial assistance to beneficiaries (X2 = 99.76, df= 8, P< 0.01). The result also confirmed a significant relationship between sex of the respondents and the effectiveness of training / skills acquisition (X2 = 13.06, df= 2, P < 0.01). Semi-logarithm was chosen as the lead model of the regression (F = 52*14, P< 0.01) and it showed that R2 = 0.5450. This implies that the independent variables included in the model accounted for 54.50% variation in the effectiveness of the economic empowerment strategies of the youth empowerment scheme. Years of schooling and duration of the training /skills acquisition were significant at 1% of probability level. .It could be concluded that Youth Empowerment Scheme has helped the youth in the State to be self-employed. It is therefore, recommended that apart from the training and skill acquisition, assistance to the beneficiaries should focus more on financial assistance. Inclusion of training in agricultural production is important as this will go a long way in enhancing food security and income generation among the youth in the State.