Analysis of The Relationship Between Income Inequality snd Poverty Prevalence in Selected North Central States of Nigeria: 1991 – 2013

Poverty in Nigeria has been described as pervasive owing to the fact that the nation has witnessed a persistent increase in poverty level over the years despite various poverty alleviation programs. More so, it has been argued that income inequality is a manifestation as well as strong cause of poverty. The study therefore analyses the empirical relationship between income inequality and poverty prevalence among households in selected North Central States in Nigeria. This study employed survey method supported by time series data using regression analysis A representative sample of 600 respondents was planned for the survey in order to have at least 462 households responding. The result shows that dependency ratio, level of calorie intake, poverty per head counts are important factor influencing the level of poverty prevalence. Hence the study observes a substantial correlation between income inequality and poverty prevalence in the studied North Central Nigeria. The study therefore recommends a deliberate policy of reducing income inequality through equitable distribution of income and acceptable revenue sharing formula, need to campaign against large family size, providing subsidy and credit facilities for farmers and artisans true co-operatives, overhauling existing poverty alleviation programme and finally instituting good governance in every sphere of government activity which is a sine-qua-non for poverty reduction

Socioeconomic dynamism and the growth of baby factories in Nigeria

Abstract: Illegally breeding babies for marketing purposes otherwise known as “infant commodification” is increasing in Nigeria. This menace is a vice that threatens the lives and wellbeing of babies, young girls, and women. This article investigates through an in-depth review of scholarly publication and media coverages the factors that have contributed to the emergence and growth of the illicit industry in Nigeria. It examines the role of cultural beliefs, social attitudes, and norms as well as the harsh economic conditions of the nation as factors playing pivotal roles in the continual growth of baby farming in Nigeria. Some of these sociocultural factors are social stigmatization of pregnancy outside wedlock, stigmatization of adopted children, and the importance attached to fertility and the demonization of childlessness. The article draws on Emile Durkheim anomie theory and Chambers dimensions of poverty to explain how breakdown within the nation’s socioeconomic structure has a concomitant impact in breading social vices. It concludes by recommending that there is a need to jettison stigmatizing sociocultural beliefs within the nation’s social fabrics. Responsive attitude toward family reproductive issues should be encouraged and finally the activities of health care providers, operators of nongovernmental organizations taking custody of babies and young girls be properly monitored. As well, stringent punishment be meted out to apprehended operators of these baby farms to serve as deterrent to others

The Dynamics of Fiscal Policy Measures on Manufacturing Sector Growth: Evidence from Nigerian Economy

This study investigates the dynamics of fiscal policy measures on manufacturing sector output growth: evidence from Nigeria economy for the period 1981 to 2021 using the estimation technique of the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model. The research utilized an ex-post facto design and collected time series data from Central bank of Nigeria and National Bureau of Statistics on manufacturing sector output growth rate, economic growth rate, company income tax, tariff and government expenditure on infrastructure. The findings indicated that a negative and significant relationship exist between company income tax, tariff and the manufacturing output growth rate while a positive and significant relationship exist between government expenditure on infrastructure and manufacturing output growth rate in the long run. A positive and significant relationship exists between manufacturing output growth rate and economic growth rate. The Toda-Yamamoto causality test showed a uni-directional relationship between company income tax, government expenditure on infrastructure and manufacturing output growth . Based on this finding, the study made the following recommendation: the Federal Inland Revenue Service may consider carefully evaluating the current company income tax structure. A reduction in company income tax rates or the implementation of incentives for businesses particularly the infant industries could stimulate manufacturing growth over the long term. The federal ministry of trade and industry should assess the impact of existing trade policies. A gradual reduction in tariff rates or the implementation of trade policies that encourage manufacturing activities may contribute to long-term growth. Government should prioritize infrastructure development projects as a means to support and sustain the manufacturing sector. Policymakers should continue to support policies that promote a robust and dynamic manufacturing industry since its growth subsequently affects the economy's overall growth positively