ABSTRACT

Poverty as a social problem can be traced to the undeniable failure of the social institutions; it is a living condition in which an entity is faced with economic, social, political, cultural and environmental deprivations. Considerable efforts have been made in tackling the menace of poverty in Nigeria and among the rural dwellers of Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT in particular, but with no fruition. The aim of this research project is to examine rural development institutions with a view to highlighting how they can effectively alleviate poverty in the rural areas.  It is therefore recommended that the official rural development institutions are empowered for effective performance to alleviate poverty, promotion of private initiatives to enhance technology and all round rural development geared toward eradication of poverty and achieving the goal of sustainable rural development in Nigeria.

TABLE OF CONTENT

CHAPTER ONE

1.0    Background of the study…………………………................1

1.1    Statement of the problem ………………………………..... 5

1.2     Research question ………………………………................ 7

1.3     Objectives of the study …………………………………..... 7

1.4     Significance of the study ………………………………..… 8

1.5     Scope and limitation of the study ……………………….... 8

1.6     Definition of concept …………………………………….... 9

                        

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

2.0    Introduction ……………………………………………….... 11

2.1    Concept of poverty ……………………………………….… 11

2.2    Concept of Rural Area ……………………………………... 16

2.3    Cause of Poverty in contemporary Nigeria Society ……….. 18

2.4    Effects of Poverty in Rural Communities ………………….. 21

2.5    Measures in Alleviating Poverty in Rural communities ….... 25

2.6    Approaches to Poverty Alleviation ……………………….... 32

2.7    Challenges/Obstacles of Alleviating Poverty in Rural Areas ..34

2.8    Theoretical Framework ……………………………………. ..37

2.9.1 Conflict Theory of Poverty ………………………………......38

2.9.2 Structural Theory of Poverty  ………………………………. 41

2.9.3 The Power Theory of Rural Poverty ………………………...43

CHAPTER THREE

                                                       

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.0    Introduction ……………………………………………….....45

3.1     Research Population ………………………………………. 45

3.2     Research design ………………………………………….… 46

3.3    Sampling Procedure ………………………………………... 46

3.4    Method of Data Collection ……………………………….… 47

3.5     Method of Data Analysis …………………………………... 48

CHAPTER FOUR

ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

4.0    Introduction ………………………………………………..… 4

4.1   Date Analysis and Interpretation of Date …………………… 50 

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1      Summary …………………………………………………..... 57

5.2      Discussion of Result and Findings ……………………...…. 58

5.3      Recommendations ………………………………………...... 60

5.4      Conclusion ………………………………………………...... 63

Appendix I ………………………………………………..… 65

Appendix II ………………………………………………..... 70

References ………………………………………………....… 71