Potential of Sharī’ah compliant microfinance in alleviating poverty in Nigeria

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to explore the option of Sharī’ah-compliant microfinance as a viable alternative to many previous approaches adopted by the Nigerian State in tackling the menace of poverty in the land. In spite of many poverty alleviation policies and interventions of the past three decades, millions of Nigerians still live in abject poverty, while thousands of university graduates roam the streets looking for jobs. Many unemployed Nigerians with good business ideas are usually discouraged by the alarmingly high interest rate charged on start-up capitals by local banks. Design/methodology/approach To achieve its objective, this paper used both analytical and qualitative methods after thoroughly examining many relevant literature and empirical works. The study explores four Sharī’ah tools for the implementation of the proposed scheme, to wit: musharakah, mudharabah, zakat and waqf. Findings The study finds that the suggested Sharī’ah tools are viable and sustainable in lunching microfinance projects in the Nigerian context. The paper further argues that exploring Islamic non-interest microfinance options will guarantee the financial inclusion of a large percentage of Nigerians, pursuant to the Constitutional provision on economic rights of the entire citizenry (s.16 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended). Originality/value The paper identifies a yet-to-be explored viable option, with great potential not only in enhancing government policies for poverty alleviation but also in assuring a large percentage of the citizens of financial inclusion.