The Influence of Youth Empowerment Programs on Poverty Alleviation: A Study of Three Churches in Ibadan, Nigeria

A major challenge confronting Africa, especially Nigeria, is poverty. Of major concern is the prevalence of poverty among youths who form a major portion of the population in Nigeria. I believe government, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and religious bodies in Nigeria through youth empowerment programs can alleviate poverty among youths. This study investigated the influence of youth empowerment programs on three churches in Ibadan, Nigeria, on the issue of poverty alleviation.

The theories of transformational leadership, poverty alleviation and asset-based community development (ABCD) were the frameworks and descriptive survey research designs that were adopted for the study. The study focused on the youths in three churches in Ibadan, Nigeria. These were the World Reconciliation Bible Church, Calvary Dominion Gospel Mission, and Truth and Grace Bible Church. Random sampling was used to select 120 youths and 15 committee members from each of the churches. A mixed method approach of questionnaires and interviews was used for data collection. Reliability of the instrument was done on 30 youth in Fresh Anointing Church, Orogun, Ibadan, Nigeria. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson product moment correlation and multiple regressions at 0.05 level of significance, while the qualitative data was thematically analyzed.

My study found that the strategy most often used by churches for youth empowerment was the provision of capital loans. Frequently organized workshops and business talks were offered. The most impactful strategies used by church involved: women development (making beads, soap solutions, etc). Funding for empowerment programs came from special church contributions for youths and individual contributions, pledges, and vows. Beneficiaries of the church empowerment programs were church youths and youths with zeal to participate in the program. Empowerment programs have a significant negative relationship with poverty alleviation among youths. Financial constraint was the biggest challenge facing churches on youth empowerment.

Churches can empower youths through various poverty alleviation programs. By intensifying efforts on youth empowerment programs especially through the provision of job/employment and organizing workshops, churches can have a profound influence on poverty alleviation.