SOCIAL WELFARE POLICIES AND SOCIOECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA. (A CASE STUDY OF N-POWER PROGRAMME IN AKWA IBOM STATE)

Social welfare policies are designed across the globe and Nigeria to enhance socio-economic development. Over the years, Nigeria and Akwa Ibom State in particular have witnessed poor socio-economic development, according to several researchers. Nigerian government over time has developed some welfare programmes towards addressing these issues, such as Npower and others. it seemed the these programme precisely Npower still does not address the problem of concern. It is against this backdrop that the study saught to investigate the effects of social welfare programme implementation on socio-economic development in Akwa Ibom state. With particular reference to poverty reduction, unemployment and education as indicators of socio-economic development. Three research questions and hypothesis were formulated for the Study, Elite Theory was adopted for the study. The survey research design was adopted for the study as questionnaire was the tool for data collection in the study. The population of the study stood at 4,979,400, as provided by the Akwa Ibom state annual population projection (2022). Base on the population, a sample size of 400 was determined using the Taro Yamane formula. The sampling technique for the study was the simple random sampling technique. The simple percentage method was adopted for data analysis as the chi-square statistical technique was adopted for the test of hypothesis. The findings of the study includes: firstly, the study findings indicate that the N-Power program has had a profound impact on employment generation in Akwa Ibom State. Secondly, the findings demonstrate that the N-Power program, particularly through its N-Power Teach initiative, has contributed to a marked improvement in educational outcomes within Akwa Ibom State. Finally, the findings show that the N-Power program has had a significant positive effect on poverty alleviation in Akwa Ibom State, aligning with its aim to address socio-economic disparities through financial and capacity-building support. The study therefore recommended that: firstly, the Akwa Ibom State Government should embark on employment generation through partnership with local industries to facilitate permanent job placements and internships for N-Power beneficiaries after completing their training. Secondly, the Akwa Ibom State Government should Deploy N-Power Teach participants strategically to schools in underserved communities and provide them with professional development opportunities to enhance teaching quality. Finally, the Akwa Ibom State Government should in conjunction with Npower agency, Expand skill acquisition programs to include entrepreneurship and small business management training, enabling beneficiaries to start their own businesses and reduce dependency on stipends.