SOCIAL CAPITAL AND POVERTY REDUCTION IN NIGERIA: METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES

Abstract

Despite the efforts by most of the countries to reduce poverty, there are evidences that a large number of people are living below the poverty line, the situation is not different in Nigeria. However, the importance attached to the social capital as a solution to social interaction provides for an examination of its relevance to poverty reduction in Nigeria. To this end, social capital has been described as an empirically elusive concept, yet has also been heralded as the glue that holds communities together. This paper focus on the impact of social capital on poverty reduction in Nigeria, using Minna as a case study. The missing link to poverty reduction program in Nigeria is social capital. This paper reviews the empirical evidence of social capital and economic outcome and the methodological issues in analyzing the impact of social capital on poverty reduction in Nigeria. It concludes with policy measures that can further enhance social capital in relation to poverty reduction in Nigeria.