IMPACT OF YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMMES ON CRIME REDUCTION IN NIGERIA: A STUDY OF AKWA IBOM STATE

ABSTRACT The study examined how youth empowerment programmes has reduced crime in Nigeria, with specific focus on Akwa Ibom State. The theoretical framework adopted for this study was the empowerment theory, which underscored the importance of providing young people with skills, opportunities, and trainings, all of which contributes to their self-empowerment. The Utility of the theory to the study is that it provided a foundation for understanding the relationship between empowerment and its potential impact on crime reduction. The study employed the use of survey research design. Data was sourced from both primary and secondary sources. Findings from the study revealed among other things that only 30% perceived the positive impact on the lives of participating individuals, highlighting a critical need for evaluating and enhancing the effectiveness of existing initiative. Through stratified random sampling, 200 respondents, evenly divided by gender, contributed to the findings, and 75% of the respondents recognized evidence in the reduction of criminal activities of youth who engaged in empowerment initiatives. The study recommended among other things the need to encourage enhanced disclosure with stakeholders to deepening understanding of the effectiveness of youth empowerment initiatives, as well as encouraged community engagement and collaboration to ensure the relevance, and sustained success of youth empowerment initiatives.