National Poverty Eradication Programme in Nigeria (NAPEP): A Case Study of Capacity Acquisition Programme (CAP) in Gombe State 2003 - 2015

Poverty is one of the major socio-economic problems in Nigeria which draws the concern of policy-makers in Nigeria of recently. In response to the scourge of poverty in Nigeria, the civilian government of Obasanjo introduced Poverty Alleviation Programme (PAP) in 2000 but later, PAP was halted and replaced with National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) in 2001. NAPEP has a multi-various approach to poverty eradication including Capacity Acquisition Programme (CAP) which is an emphasis on skills acquisition and training for self-reliance. The major problem is the way poverty is increasing in alarming rate despite various efforts by government to eradicate it in the period of this study. This study examined CAP in Gombe state and its impact on poverty eradication effort. The methodology adopted for this research is the use of primary source where interview was conducted with one local government chosen from each of the three zones of the state. Secondary source was also used where literature was reviewed theoretical framework was formed to support the arguments presented. The data obtained were presented and analysed together with the hitherto existing statistics on this area. The research discovered that CAP as a component of NAPEP programme achieved little success in poverty eradication as a result of government’s unseriousness, corruption and negligence. Thus, the policy is not ideal for poverty eradication approach. The best means of poverty eradication is employment generation through provision of small scale and large-scale industries, eradication of corruption and genuine political will from the part of policy makers.