The quest for poverty alleviation in Nigeria: the need for a rights-based approach

The article closely examines the concept and meaning of poverty, being inclusive though not restricted to income poverty, but embracing the wider construct of human poverty, finding expression in the requirements of human development. It situates the fight against poverty across the globe within the Millennium Declaration and the Millennium Development Goals of the United Nations. In particular, Nigeria appears to be fighting a losing battle against poverty, over the last three decades, despite committal of considerable resources, due to insidious failure to engage beyond mere programmes and strategies. The article advocates a shift in conception and implementation on the entire platform of household, civil society, development partners and the apparatus of governance. Notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract]