Youths' socio-economic well-being in Southwest Nigeria: What role can empowerment/poverty reduction programmes play?

Despite several empowerment/poverty reduction programmes in Nigeria, the youths' plight has worsened with evidence of the increased unemployment rate, poverty, and social exclusion. This study examines the impact of several empowerment/poverty reduction programmes on the youths' well-being in southwest Nigeria. The study adopts the quantitative method using questionnaires for data collection. A total of 425 copies of the questionnaire were collected and analysed using frequency distribution tables and cross tabulation. It was found that despite the high level of awareness (74.6%) of the various empowerment programmes, only a few (17.2%) have benefitted from them. Among those who have benefited, only 41.2% have what they currently do related to the empowerment they once benefitted. The majority of the respondents, 61.6%, consider the programmes resourceful. Based on the findings, the study recommends properly implementing the empowerment programmes to ensure that those who need them are the beneficiaries, rather than a medium for political expediency. Also, a youth trust fund where youths who have undergone empowerment programmes can always access funds for their start-ups needs to be established. This will promote wealth creation opportunities among the youths and ensure the sustainability of the programmes.