IMPACT OF POVERTY ON THE ECONOMIC GROWTH OF NIGERIA

IMPACT OF POVERTY ON THE ECONOMIC GROWTH OF NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.1Background to the study

Poverty is a plague-affecting people all over the world and it is a condition that denies individuals the right to exercise their full potentials. There is no universally accepted definition of poverty, but poverty can be defined as having insufficient income to meet the basic human needs of life. If the real national income of a country is small that country will be poor, and a higher standard of living for its people can be achieved only by an increase in the total volume of production. Poverty often been defined as a situation of low income or low consumption.

Absolute and Relative poverty can also be seen from two perspective microeconomics and macroeconomics. In micro economics terms, poverty refers to a situation in which individual persons or households are not able to satisfy their basic needs. From a macroeconomic perspective, poverty exists when the average inhabitants of a country live below the minimum subsistence level. Thus, while the macroeconomic concept specifies the country, micro economic perspective is concerned with households or individuals.

Governments concern for the fate of the poor in developing countries has heightened in recent years but the economies of these countries were constrained with a rather hostile external and internal economic and environmental hardship. Some of these entanglement encountered are a recurring external debt-servicing burdens, disequilibrium in terms of trade, high and widespread unemployment, high rate of inflation, capital flight, low capacity utilization and high population growth. To that extent, sharp criticisms emanated from the various corners of the country about the inability of the government to design and implement strategies for meeting the basic human needs of the society so as to ensure a just and egalitarian society. Apparently, the plights of the poor and the need to rearticulate development programmes have dominated discussions of contemporary schemes. However, Nigeria is yet to formulate a rehabilitative welfare package directed towards alleviating poverty problems despite the attention and seriousness it deserves. A large proportion of Nigerians in the rural area still lack access to the basic social services. This is unconnected with the nature of the strategies, which are broad based and not targeted at any particular group. Various development plans designed to cushion the social welfare of the people has not been implemented to the latter. Better still, the expenditure structures of the government really give credence and confirm her unflinching commitment to the people’s welfare. Yet, mass poverty has remained the most prevalent socio-economic problem in Nigeria society.

Poverty is one of the intractable problems facing mankind today. In 1995, an estimated 1.3 billion people out of the estimated 5.8 billion people in the world were living in the shackles of extreme poverty, living on less than one dollar a day (Human Development Report, 1998)Nigeria has one of the greatest development potentials in Africa given the vastness of her resources and above all her rich human resource endowment. But regardless of these potentials Nigeria is still among the poorest countries of the world. The economy is mired by multiple difficulties. On the basis of widespread economic crisis, and the recent global economic meltdown, the country is unable to raise the standard of living of its citizens to an appreciable height. Thus poverty, in both absolute and relative terms, constitutes one of the most serious problems confronting Nigeria. Statistically, between 1960 and 1980, the poverty level covered about 28.0 percent of the population; by 1996 it rose alarmingly to about 66 percent of the population (Aliju, 2001).

According to the United Nation Development Program Human Development Report (2008-2009) which combined such components as; level of inequality, life expectancy at birth, standard of living and access to knowledge, and education, between 2004 and 2009 poverty in Nigeria has worsened from 0.43 to 0.49. This shows that despite its vast resources, Nigeria ranks among the 25 poorest countries of the world. In fact, poverty has been a serious challenge to governments in Nigeria. Its effect, which includes lack and deprivation in the basic necessities of life, is worrisome.

Poverty humiliates and dehumanizes its victim Ukpong (1996). To this end government and people in authority almost always strive to ensure that adequate structural programs are enshrined to see that poverty if not eradicated, is reduced to the barest minimum. Poverty alleviation strategies ranging from Operation Feed the Nation of 1978, the Green Revolution of 1982, the Directorate of Foods Roads and Rural Infrastructures DFFRI, the National Directorate for Employment NDE, Poverty Alleviation Program PAP, the National Poverty Eradication Program, NAPEP up to the Seven – Point Agenda were all attempts made by various governments in the country in order to curb the menace of poverty.

Finally, the indicators of poverty in Nigeria will remain alarming. Poverty alleviation in Nigeria requires among other strategies, the access of the poor to productive assets, the raising of their returns on the assets, increasing their access to education and health services, improving their employment opportunities and supplementing their resources with income or resource transfer.

1.2 statement of research problem

Poverty in Nigeria has continued to growth worse and wide spread. Firstly, the high rate of unemployment may also be responsible for poverty in Nigeria. The inability to get good jobs that produce a decent income leads to low productivity. In addition, many graduates wander the streets without any reasonable prospect of gainful employment in Nigeria. Bureau of Statistics puts Unemployment Rate in Nigeria to 23.9% percent in the third quarter of 2018 from 18.80 percent in the second quarter of 2018. Unemployment Rate in Nigeria averaged 10.63 percent from 2006 until 2018, exceeding an all time high rate of 19.70 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009 and a record low of 6.4 percent in the fourth quarter of 2014. By implication, it means that if Nigeria’s population is 186million, which means about 35 million Nigerians where unemployed as at 2018 (NBS 2018).

Secondly, inadequate education often stands as a bottleneck in any economy; according to the World Bank (2007) education plays an important role in economic growth and national productivity as well as innovation and democratic values. Illiteracy as well as a lack of education is common in poor countries. This is because governments in sub-Saharan African countries lack the resources to provide adequate public schools in rural areas, such that less than 60% of children in sub-Saharan Africa have an elementary education. Most times poor people in these countries drop out of schooling to enable them to concentrate on making a minimal wage for a living. This prevents people from having the opportunity to secure decent jobs and opportunities to develop themselves to enable them to fully participate in society. In Nigeria the educational system is very poor when compared with other countries in the world.

Thirdly, Social and economic unrest from the domestic and international scene arose from the failure of the government, which lacked the ability to successfully implement political transition programmes that may have actualized stability such that distortion resulted in recession. A restricted domestic market prevented productive ventures from flourishing because of and withdrawal of investment from such country and subsequent job and economic insecurity. The economy of Nigeria advanced 2.28 percent year-on-year in the third quarter of 2019 compared to an upwardly revised 2.12 percent rise in the previous period. It was the fastest expansion since the fourth quarter of 2018, as oil output grew the most in over three years. GDP Annual Growth Rate in Nigeria averaged 3.81 percent from 1982 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 19.17 percent in the fourth quarter of 2004 and a record low of -7.81 percent in the fourth quarter of 1983 (NBS, 2018).

Fourthly, Corruption has become a cankerworm in Nigeria such that government revenue is shared among political office holders and their cronies, while the masses are left to wallow in poverty. Nigeria is the 144 least corrupt nation out of 175 countries, according to the 2018 Corruption Perceptions Index reported by Transparency International. Corruption Rank in Nigeria averaged 121.48 from 1996 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 152 in 2005 and a record low of 52 in 1997.This indicates that the well-being of the people are practically ignored by political leaders. Thus, corruption has led to increased poverty and income inequality and has contributed to increased crime rates in Nigeria.

Fifthly, Inequality: Inequality implies having large discrepancies in resource distribution, whether one is considering income, consumption or other welfare indicators or attributes (Oyekale, Adeoti&Oyekale 2007). Income disparity occurred in Nigeria as a result of the high economic growth that Nigeria experienced from 1965 to 1975.The result of the 2018 survey by NBS in Nigeria shows that persons between 15 and 64 (the economically active population), constituted 56.3 percent, while those aged 65 years and above constituted 4.2 percent. Before now, not a few economic watchers have queried the recorded Gross Domestic Product, GDP, growth rates in Nigeria, which over time are contrary to the growing rate of poverty. Income inequality has therefore increased the dimension of poverty in the country.

Finally, Laziness: Laziness is rampant among Nigerians and it has become a common disease most especially from youths who hail from wealthy households. Everyone wants to be comfortable, but they are not ready to work towards it. This often leads to greed such that people do whatever possible to keep the family wealth for themselves. In most families, everyone depends on the breadwinner, who works hard to keep the family going, and when he dies the family become poor because the dependants are lazy; they subsequently mismanage the funds that are bequeathed to them and become poor. In most Nigerian families, the death of the breadwinner means the death of the whole family’s fortunes; because everyone depended on him or her to provide for the needs of the household (Aigbokhan, 2008).

1.3 Research questions.

The research work sought to answer the following research questions.

i. What are the impacts of poverty determinants on the growth of Nigerian economy?

ii. What is the trend of poverty on the growth of Nigerian economy?

 1.4 The aim and objectives of the study

The major objective of this research is to examine the impact of the determinants of poverty on the growth of Nigerian economy. Specific objectives of the research include the following.

i. To evaluate the impacts of poverty determinants on the growth of Nigerian economy.

ii. To examine the trend of poverty on the growth of Nigerian economy.

1.5 Statement of research hypothesis

The following hypothesis were determined for testing

Ho: that poverty determinants has no significant impact on the growth of Nigerian economy

H1: That poverty determinants has significant impact on the growth of Nigerian economy

1.6 The significance of the study

The significance of this research work is to determine the various determinants of poverty in the sense that it will give an insight to the government in the formulation of appropriate policies that will effectively reposition the productive sector. This will efficiently serve the developmental needs of the country and also give plausible solutions to ameliorate poverty in the drive for Nigeria to attain economic development.

The study is also expected to serve as a stepping stone to other researchers to acquire more facts about poverty and it’s implications on economic growth as evident in Nigeria gross domestic product (GDP).

1.7 Scope and limitation of the study

The study, implications of the determinants of poverty on the growth of Nigerian economy. it covered a period 20 years (1999 – 2018). The area of major concern is the determinants of poverty, its implications and effect on the growth of Nigerian economy. Due to the vitality and vast nature of the topic under investigation, one of the major limitations was how to approach the study to capture the most significant variables and that of inadequate information or materials like books, journals and periodicals to consult for knowledge development which will enhance a better result. Another hindrance was that of money which restricted the coverage of the work at hand. The last hindrance was that of time which was shared among several activities. However, a drastic step was taken to obtain data from reliable sources such as CBN statistical bulletin, NBS statistical publications etc. to overcome such limitations

1.8 Organization of the study

This research work is divided into five (5) chapters.

Chapter one contains the background to the study, statement of research problems, The research questions, aims and objectives, hypothesis testing, significance of the study, scope and limitation and organization of the study, chapter two undertakes the review of relevant literature on poverty, chapter three considers the theoretical framework and features of poverty as well as delving to criteria for measuring poverty in Nigeria, chapter four focuses on the research methodology, data analysis and interpretation of results and chapter five contains the summary of findings, conclusions and recommendations.

THE ROLE OF NON GOVERNMENTAL AND NON-PROFIT MULTINATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IN THE ALLEVIATION OF RURAL POVERTY: THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE

 THE ROLE OF NON GOVERNMENTAL AND NON-PROFIT MULTINATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IN THE ALLEVIATION OF RURAL POVERTY: THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE

ABSTRACT

This research project is a comprehensive study of the Role of Non Governmental and Non-Profit Multinational Organization in the Alleviation of Rural Poverty: the Nigerian Experience, the appraisal of the implementation of the various poverty alleviation programmes in Nigeria and its implications for Development. Five categories of variables that relate to the poverty alleviation programmes were studied. These are why non-governmental and non profit multinational organizations, the meaning and measurement of poverty, approaches for sustainable livelihoods for the rural poor, overcoming human poverty, human development, government and non-governmental efforts towards poverty alleviation into five chapters. Chapter one deals with the introduction of the study, pointing out the statement of the problem, the purpose of the study, statement of hypothesis, objective of the study and the significance of the study with the definition of some common and uncommon terms for our easy understand. Chapter two extensively dwell on the literature reviews and works, frame the conceptual, theoretical and empirical frameworks, the phases adopted, it constraints and problems and list of enterprises sold. Chapter three has to do with the methodology used to ascertain true and relevant information. Here, we make our research design, sources of data, sampling design and procedures, the sample size and our data collection instruments. I also made test of validity and reliability of the study. In chapter four, I presented and analyzed the collected data and the test of hypotheses. Finally, in chapter five, I summarized my findings to the research work, drew some useful conclusions based on my findings and made good recommendations and suggestions that when applied or employed in subsequent policy formulation will enhance the actualization of set targets to the alleviation of rural poverty programme in Nigeria, which will positively, effectively, efficiently and ultimately alleviate rural poverty in Nigeria.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1   BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

This research project was conceived as a contribution to battle against poverty, a scourge that has assumed a disgraceful dimension in the world’s most populous and potentially, most powerful black nation. The 2009 Human Development Index (HDI) recently released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) paints a gloomy picture of Nigeria. The HDI ranks nations of the world according to the human conditions that exists in each nation.

According to UNDP’s report, adult literacy in Nigeria stands at 28% and only 47.7% of the country’s children have access to immunization against preventable disease. The report goes on to add that just 30% of Nigerians has access to safe drinking water while a mere 33% percent of the country’s population has access to electricity. Drawing its conclusion from the above quoted figures, the UNDP ranks Nigeria 146th out of the 174 countries mentioned in the report. This means that only 28 countries of the world are poorer than Nigeria, the world’s sixth largest oil producer. In other words, Nigeria is one of the 30 poorest countries in the world. Although the UNDP report is not flawless, it fairly captures the reality. Any person who lives  in this country need not be a seer to know that the country is in dire straits.

Given the important contributions these organizations have made, one would understand why this project concentrates on their role in the battle against poverty, especially rural poverty, in Nigeria. The last two decades of the twentieth century were economically traumatic for Nigeria. That period naturally witnessed an upsurge in interest in poverty alleviation. This interest goes beyond Nigeria for the problem of poverty transcends national boundaries. Since the literature of an, era reflects the signs of the time it should not be surprising that the period between 1980 and 1999 saw the emergence of numerous academic works devoted to the problem of poverty in Nigeria and other parts of the world. Coincidentally, the period in question witnessed an increase in interest in women affairs and consequently, a deluge of literature on the contribution of women to rural poverty alleviation and nation building. This review shall focus on the available literature relevant to our research.

Maxwell Simon in ―The Meaning and Measurement of Poverty‖ an article published by the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) argues that the concept, poverty has no Universal accepted definition. Simon argues that despite the difficulty in conceptualizing poverty, efforts have been made to use income as one of the measure of poverty. The cities the World Bank attempt at choosing an income level of $1 15 (One American Dollar) per day as the benchmark for absolute poverty. According to the World Bank, ―any person that earns not more than considering the assertion earlier made in this chapter to the effect that income may not be an adequate measure of poverty. For example there are differences and ten Naira) at the current (July 2000) exchange rate may not buy in the United States what it can buy in Nigeria. To buttress the point that income is not an adequate measure of poverty, Maxwell avails the reader of a more versatile definition of poverty given by the European Union which goes thus. ―The poor shall be taken to mean person, families and groups of person whose resources (materials, cultural social) are so limited as to exclude them from the minimum acceptable way of life in the member state in which they live‖. In the penultimate segment of his article, Maxwell gives the following measures of poverty as called from the UNDP Human Development Report (HDR) of 2009.

1.2   STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Most social research efforts are motivated by the desire to combat one negative the phenomenon or another. Within the contact of this proposed research, the negative social phenomenon in question is poverty, a problem that has assumed alarming dimension in Nigeria. The problem with Nigeria is not lack of human and material resources; indeed, the country is one of the most naturally endowed countries in the world.

The problem of poverty in the midst of plenty is primarily caused by the skewed nature of inadequate and poor income distribution in Nigeria. The system in this country enables the rich to get richer while the poor get poorer. How can we ensure that the disposable income in the hands of the poor, particularly the rural poor, is enhanced? Another problem that exacerbates poverty is misplacement of priorities on the part of successive governments of the country. Neglect of rural infrastructure only helps to compound the problem of poverty in Nigeria. Rural-Urban migration which has seen to the loss of vibrant rural youths to cities would not have been as acute if priority had been given to rural infrastructure.  Apart from the aforementioned, other problems such as limited access to credit facilities, high cost of farm inputs and inclement geography all combine to compound the problem for rural poverty in Nigeria. These problems shall be identified and solutions to them proffered in the documentation of research findings.

1.3   OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

As the title implies, this research effort is primarily aimed at assessing the contributions of Non-Governmental and Non-profit multi-national organizations in the alleviation of rural poverty in Nigeria. The objectives of the study are:

1. To assess the contributions of Non-Governmental and Non-Profit multi-national organisaitons in the alleviation of rural poverty in Nigeria.

2. To ascertain the possible benefits that the rural populace may achieve through the assistance of the Non-governmental and non-profit multinational organistion’s.  
3. To determine the impacts of the NGO’s and its sustainability with governmental support.

4. To highlight the necessary areas where the voluntary services of the NGO’s are most needed in the alleviation of rural poverty in Nigeria.

5. To bring out the possible ways of alleviating rural poverty

 To point out the key areas where the voluntary services of the NGO’s are preferentially needed and areas of utmost priority, (health, education, water and sanitation etc).

1.4   RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What have been the contributions of the Non- governmental and non-profit multinational organizations to alleviation of rural poverty in Nigeria?
2. Have the Rural people benefited from the non-governmental and non- profit multinational organizations especially in terms of poverty alleviation?
3. Can the non-governmental organizations support be used to assess the sustainability of governments support?
4. How would government identify the most needed areas of attention in the rural poverty alleviation programme?
5. To what extent has the government identified the possible ways of alleviating the rural poverty?
6. What are the key areas where the voluntary services of the NGO’s are preferentially needed, (health, education, water and sanitation etc)?

1.6   SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

This research is certainly not the first to be conducted on poverty alleviation in Nigeria. However, it is significant in it emphasis on rural poverty. Similarly, the proposed use of research assistants to reach out to rural areas is a remarkable departure from the practice of ―arm-chair research‖ which entails conducting researches only on the pages of books. Similarly, this research effort, being one of the way first conducted in the new century shall serve as a reference point for future researches on the thorny issues of rural poverty in particularly and poverty in general.

1.7   SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This proposed research shall cover six non governmental and non-profit multinational national organizations. These include the Fredrich Eberth Foundation, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Ford Foundation, British Council, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Global 2000. The Nigerian offices of these organizations shall be visited for information. Research assistants shall also be sent to some selected rural areas. The number of these rural areas would depend on the financial resources available to the researcher.

THE ROLE OF MICROFINANCE BANKS IN THE ALLEVIATION OF POVERTY IN NIGERIA

THE ROLE OF MICROFINANCE BANKS IN THE ALLEVIATION OF POVERTY IN NIGERIA.

( A Case Study of Oha Microfinance Bank Ogui Road Branch, Enugu State)

ABSTRACT

This study explores the immense role of the microfinance banks in the alleviation of poverty in Nigeria. The researcher revealed that the rate at which rural dwellers deposit their money in their pillows rather than in microfinance banks is high. Data were collected through primary and secondary sources. As regarded to primary sources, questionnaires and interviewed were used. The chi-square (x²) method was used for testing of hypotheses. Responses to the questionnaires were analyzed using percentage method of analysis. Based on the findings of this study, an attempt on the role of microfinancing as stimulus to poverty alleviation in Nigeria may lack adequate knowledge of various financial transactions available and how the rural dwellers can access them. In conclusion, it hoped that the recommendation will help the microfinance banks to strengthen its weakness for better and effective services in order to achieve its sets of goals and socio-economic advancement for the alleviation of poverty in Nigeria.

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION

1.1: BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

A robust economic growth cannot be achieved without putting in place well focused programme to reduce poverty through empowering the people by increasing their access to factors of production.

The latent capacity of the poor for entrepreneurship would be significantly enhanced through the provision of microfinance services to enable them engage in economic activities and be more self-reliant, increase employment opportunities, enhance household income and create wealth. Micro-financing has existed for years before the introduction of conventional banking in Nigeria and the later part of nineteenth century. (Ekot, 2008)

The traditional Nigerian society has a system of group savings and assistance to one another. The practice was that a group of people who had needs for some form of capital or lump sum to execute a particular project which they could not raise adequate savings on their own, usually come together to form a savings group.

The group may be named after the leader who is usually the initiator of the venture. The traditional microfinance institutions provide access to credit for the rural and urban low-income earners. These are mainly the informal self-help groups such as Isusu,women association like one obtainable during popular August meetings, Umu-ada progressive women association. Other providers of microfinance services include savings collectors and co-operatives. (CBN brief, 2005)

The unwillingness and inability of the formal financial institutions is to provide financial services to the urban and rural poor, coupled with unsustainability of government sponsored development financial schemes, contributed to the increase in number of private sector led micro finance in Nigeria. Thus, before the emergence of microfinance institutions, informal microfinance activities flourished all over the country. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as at end of December 2009 gave an approval to 840 microfinance banks to begin operation in the country. (CBN briefs, 2008-2009)

Microfinance banking is about providing financial services to the economically active poor and low income household, who are traditionally not served by the conventional financial institutions. These services include credit savings, micro-leasing, micro-insurance and payment transfers to enable them engage in income generating activities. (Asemota, 2002)

However, the microfinance policy launched on 15th December 2005 defined the framework for the delivery of these financial services on a sustainable basis to the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMES) through privately owned microfinance banks. The Non-governmental Organizations or Microfinance institutions (NGO-MFIS) are also expected to transform to microfinance banks. (Dinye, 2006)

Existing Community banks and NGO-MFIS that want to convert and transform respectively to a microfinance bank but do not have the required minimum capital base can increase the share capital by capital injection, merger and acquisition. These would not only enhance monetary stability but also expand the financial infrastructural development of the country to meet the national financial system and provide stimulus for growth and development (Benson, 1985).

It would also harmonize operating standards and provide a strategic platform for the evolution of microfinance institution, promote appropriate regulation, supervision and adoption of best practices. The establishment of microfinance banks has become imperative to serve the following purposes: Improve, diversified and create a dependable financial service to the active poor, low-income earners in a timely and competitive manner that would enable them to undertake and develop long-term, sustainable entrepreneurial activities, mobilize savings for intermediation, create employment opportunities and increase the productivity of active poor and income earners in the country.

Thus increasing their individual household income and capacity standard of living, enhance organized and systematic but focused participation of the poor in the social-economic development and resource allocation process. It will also provide veritable avenues for the administration of the micro credit programme of government and high net worth individual on non-resource basis. This policy ensures that state government shall delegate an amount of not less than 10% of their annual budgets for on-lending activities of microfinance banks in favour of their residents and render payment services such as salaries, pension for various tiers of government (Luck,2011).

1.2: STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Nigeria consists of different classes of individuals, who are either enterprising or industrial low class that account for over half of the population who do not have access to formal banking services. Savings have continued to grow at a very low rate particularly in the rural areas of Nigeria. One of the problems brought to bear is the inability of rural dwellers to channel their savings into banks. Most rural people keep their resources under their pillows.

This method of keeping savings is risky because it might be stolen, lost or wasted in extravagant spending. Moreover, returns which would have accrued to the depositors in form of interest are forfeited.

The contribution of government to alleviate poverty through the establishment of microfinance banks appears a little progress. Inspite of the establishment of microfinance banks, it was observed that most people are not able to obtain loan. This is attributed to a number of challenges such as the high level of interest rate, lack of collaterals required by the commercial banks before loans can be granted which necessitated the establishment of Microfinance to address these economic imbalances. If the banking industry continue to meet the demands of Nigerians especially the rural poor, this shows that there is a gap which need to be filled and this can be done through the contribution of government by establishing more microfinance banks in Nigeria to help in alleviation of poverty.

Another problem observed is the inability of prospective borrowers of most microfinance banks to repay their loans as at when due. This may be attributed to high rate of poverty in the country. The high rate of poverty is noticeable in such area such as unemployment, high rate of inflation, non-payment of salaries, mismanagement of loan granted to rural dwellers, infrastructural deficiencies, such as power, road network, etc. and all kinds of political, economic and bureaucratic bottlenecks.. Also Nigerian economy consists of individuals who feed from hand to mouth. The loans when granted are channeled to other areas such as feeding, payment of bills, school fees, hospital bills and others instead of using it for the intended business purpose.

1.3: OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The broad objective of this study is to find out the role of microfinance banks as a palliative in the alleviation of poverty in Nigeria. They are as follows:

1. To find out the rate at which rural dwellers deposit their money in microfinance banks rather than putting it under pillows.

2. To find the contribution of government in alleviation of poverty through the establishment of microfinance banks.

3. To find out the rate at which rural dwellers are able to repay their loans.

1.4: RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

The following hypotheses have been developed around which this research would revolve:
H0: The rate at which rural dwellers deposit money in microfinance bank is low than they keep under their pillows.
H1: The rate at which rural dwellers deposit money in microfinance banks is high than they keep under their pillows.

H0: The government has not assisted microfinance meet the needs of rural dwellers and communities.
H1: The government has assisted microfinance meet the needs of rural dwellers and communities

H0: Microfinance borrowers react negatively towards loan repayment.
H1: Microfinance borrowers react positively towards loan repayment.

1.5: RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What is the rate at which rural dwellers deposit their money in microfinance banks rather than putting it under their pillow?
2. What is the contribution of government in alleviation of poverty through the establishment of microfinance banks in Nigeria?
3. Why do most Microfinance borrowers react negatively towards loan repayment?

1.6 : SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will benefit the following groups:

a. Government; The findings of this study will be useful to government in that it will help them to know the importance of MFI thereby knowing ways of improving the quality of their services. The result of the study will also bring out the areas that need improvement and make suggestions for improving on them.

b. Owners; It will also be useful to those planning to open Microfinance banks to know the usefulness of microfinance banks as catalyst or stimulus for poverty alleviation in rural settings as way of developing rural banking.

c. Scholars; Students also will find it very useful in some research work on project issues by boosting their knowledge about microfinance banks in the alleviation of poverty. Those who need referencing material materials on role of micro financing in alleviating poverty will find this study useful.

1.7 : SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The research on the role of microfinance banks in poverty alleviation which requires a thorough analysis of the Oha Microfinance Bank, Ogui Road branch in Enugu State.

1.8: LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

In the course of this research work, the researcher encountered different problems such as:

1. Inadequate finance: As a student, financial difficulties limit the researcher from studying the activities of all banks and also limit the volume of data collection; e.g. the funds available will not be enough in transporting and facts findings.

2. Time constraint: There was no time to conduct an enormous research.

3. Inability to get access to some Microfinance banks to get more information about their records and some other useful information about the work also limit the research data collections.

4. Environmental constraint: The environment in which the research work was written restricted the researcher from going out and so the researcher was faced with the problems of how to reach out the field of research and coordinate activities as planned.