Micro Correlates of Extreme Poverty in Nigeria

Microdeterminants

Abstract

Poverty in Nigeria has become endemic that 87 million Nigerians are said to leave in extreme poverty. In 2017, Nigeria was declared to overturn India to become the country with the highest number of extremely poor people in the world. In each minute, six persons are projected to fall into extreme poverty. More worrisome is the projection that the number of extremely poor people in Nigeria will increase from 87 million in 2017 to 120 million in 2030. This is occurring despite different macroeconomic policies intended to curb the menace. Hence, this study explored the micro correlates of poverty with the aim of providing a paradigm shift in tackling poverty in the country. A national representative data from the 2013 NDHS and logistic regression were employed to explore the relationship between extreme poverty and some micro factors. Findings reveal that both men and women’s education, women household decision making, number of household members, access to electricity, source of drinking water, sanitation were significant correlates of extreme poverty in Nigeria. The study therefore suggests that, for more impactful policy on poverty, attention should be given to micro issues at individuals and household levels.