Survey of the Impact of Social Investment Programs Toward Beneficiaries’ Economic Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Development in Nigeria

Abstract

In Nigeria, several governments have embarked on a number of social investment programs aimed at poverty reduction, job and wealth creation, economic growth, and positive social development. However, the extent of the impacts of these programs on the beneficiaries’ economic empowerment and entrepreneurship development is not yet ascertained in many parts of the country. Therefore, this study was designed to explore the extent of the impact present administration’s social investment program (N-SIP) towards beneficiaries’ economic empowerment and entrepreneurship development in Nigeria. This study's population comprised a total of 10,267 beneficiaries of the program from nine selected local government areas in Bauchi state. However, a total of 630 beneficiaries were chosen using a proportionate random sampling technique to serve as the sample of the study. Structured questionnaire forms on the impact of social investment programs on entrepreneurship development were used as the instrument for data collection in the study. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics, and a t-test was used to test the hypotheses at a 0.05 level of significance. The results of the study revealed that there is a positive and significant relationship between N-SIP and beneficiaries’ economic empowerment. Furthermore, the results showed a significant relationship between N-SIP and entrepreneurship development in the country. These imply that social investment programs have significantly impacted the beneficiaries economically and also helped in the development of entrepreneurship in the country. This study provides valuable insights to numerous stakeholders in the area of social investment and entrepreneurship development. Finally, future directions of the study are also provided.