SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION IN NIGERIA

This study investigates the implementation and impact of Sustainable Development Goal 1 (SDG 1), which aims to eradicate poverty in all its forms, within the Nigerian context. Despite various government-led and international interventions, poverty levels in Nigeria remain high, raising concerns about the effectiveness of SDG 1 strategies. The research adopts a secondary data-based descriptive approach, analyzing reports, policy documents, and existing empirical studies to assess awareness, accessibility, and the perceived impact of SDG 1 initiatives on poverty alleviation. Findings reveal limited public awareness of SDG 1 programs, significant challenges in accessing poverty alleviation initiatives, and widespread perceptions of the ineffectiveness of current strategies. Evidence from secondary data indicates that where SDG 1 programs are effectively implemented, they contribute positively to improving household welfare and income stability. However, key challenges identified include inadequate public sensitization, bureaucratic inefficiencies, corruption, and infrastructural deficiencies, which continue to hinder the full realization of SDG 1 targets in Nigeria. The study concludes that while SDG 1 strategies have the potential to contribute meaningfully to poverty alleviation, there is a critical need for policy reforms, effective monitoring, and community-based approaches for improved implementation in Nigeria. Recommendations include enhancing public awareness, strengthening accountability frameworks, and promoting inclusive, bottom-up development strategies to advance poverty eradication efforts. This research contributes to the body of knowledge by providing a critical review of policy intentions versus practical outcomes of SDG 1 in Nigeria, serving as a reference for policymakers, development practitioners, and future academic inquiries on sustainable poverty reduction frameworks.