Assessment of Child Poverty in Rural Border Communities of South-Western and Central Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract Subject and purpose of work: This study assessed child poverty in rural border communities of Nigeria. Materials and methods: Primary data were used: children (5–16 years old) were respondents of the questionnaire. Results: The study participants were 58% male and 42% female. Also, many of the children were in the age bracket of 11–15 years and more than half (53.9%) of them had no formal education and were engaged in farming. Most of the children (72.4%) earned between NGN 3,000 and NGN 10,000 as their monthly income. The results further revealed that in the three local government areas, the girls had experienced severe poverty more than the boys. The study also found that the children were severely deprived of safe drinking water, health care facilities, education and a sanitary environment – especially because there were no toilet facilities in these areas. Conclusions: The study reveals the need for clean portable water, basic health care and well-equipped primary and secondary schools to be provided.