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DISSERTATION PROPOSAL

ON

POVERTY ALLEVIATION IN NIGERIA:

THE MICROFINANCE APPROACHA CASE STUDY OF SAGAMU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA,

OGUN STATE, NIGERIA.

BY

ADEYINKA ADEKUNLE ILORI

ID: 77072937

CFAO NIGERIA PLC

RESEARCH METHODS 9323 200910: BTH430034

19th OCTOBER, 2009.

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Table of contents

1.1.0 Background of study 4

1.1.1 Structure of literature review 7

1.2.0 Significance of study 8

1.3.0 Research questions and objectives 9

1.3.1 Research questions 9

1.3.2 Research objectives 10

1.4.0 Research methodology 11

1.4.1 Research design 11

1.4.2 Data collection 12

1.4.3 Ethical permission 13

1.5.0 Time scale 14

1.6.0 Resources 15

References 17-18

Appendix 1: Map showing Sagamu Local Government Area 19

Appendix 2: Ethics Form 20

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POVERTY ALLEVIATION IN NIGERIA:

THE MICROFINANCE APPROACHA CASE STUDY OF SAGAMU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA,

OGUN STATE, NIGERIA.

1.1.0 Background

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The term microfinance is often used interchangeably with microcredit and connotes a financial venture with interest in rendering services to the poor although with profit-making in view. (Elahi and Danopoulos, 2004) Schreiner and Colombel (2001: 339) and McGuire and Conroy (2000: 90) define microfinance as “the attempt to improve access to small deposits and small loans for poor households neglected by the banks.” Microcredit, on the other hand is viewed as a development tool, essentially the dispersion of small collateral-free loans to groups of jointly liable borrowers in order to foster income generations and poverty reduction through enhancing self-employment and health. (Ahmed, 2009; Chowdhury, 2005)

Proponents of microfinance agree that it has the tendency to break poverty’s vicious cycle; it is a win-win programme. (Chemin, 2008). On the other hand are critics such as Dale Adams of Ohio State University, who described the microfinance industry as ‘microdebt industry’ and Gonzalez-Vega, who questioned the rationale behind the goals and expectations put in place by the Microcredit Summit. (McGuire and Conroy, 2000: 94-95) The stakeholders of microfinance include donors, government, Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs), microfinance banks, government banks, commercial banks, non-bank financial institutions, thrift societies (credit and loan cooperatives), credit unions, microentrepreneurs, and other individual beneficiaries.

Most studies on poverty alleviation and microfinance concentrated on women (Elahi and Danopoulos, 2004: 62). The rationale being that they are prone to rural poverty than their male counterpart. (Anyanwu, 2005) That women are given primary consideration in microfinance programmes does not suggest that the male gender is discriminated upon. This, however, raises moral questions bordering on who handles finance profitably and who has the capacity to repay credits received and responds to policy changes better than the other sex. (Johnson, 2000) McCarther (2006) posits that women are the reason behind the success of microfinance as they are better clients and key drivers of development.

Bangladesh, being the traditional home of microfinance development, has witnessed increased studies. One such study concentrated on both objective and subjective poverty with emphasis on the number of times participants have had access to microcredit. The results of the study show that microcredit is linked with

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poverty and its impact is only strong for about 6 years with subsequent decline. (Chowdhury et al, 2005)

Another Bangladeshi study conducted by Haque and Yamao (2008) focused on determining how capably microcredit can alleviate poverty in Bangladesh. The study posits that 40% of Bangladeshi citizens live below the poverty line. Women members of reputable Non-governmental Organisations and Microfinance Institutions including Grameen Bank, Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee, Association for Social Advancement, Thengamara Mohila Sabuj Sangha among others who had been borrowing from institutions for more than 6 years were sampled. The outcome of the study showed that credit disbursed was not sufficient for profitable economic activities let alone paying back the weekly installments. The credit defaulters had to borrow from other sources to repay the loans, and in consequence fell into further, prolonged indebtedness. However, without indebtedness, the study showed that proper utilization of microcredit can improve the livelihood of Bangladeshis. (Haque and Yamao, 2008) A closely related work was also done in Bangladesh by Ahmed (2009)

In the case of Vietnam, a similar research was conducted in the Mekong Delta by Rajula et al (2008). The objective of the study was to examine “if microfinance contributes to the reduction of poverty in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam.” Second and third objectives were to investigate “if it leads to the accumulation of assets” and “how poor women are enabled to adopt livelihood strategies that lead to poverty reduction.” The finding of the research “suggests that the process of the accumulation of assets, leads to the creation of livelihoods that result in increased household income and poverty reduction.” (Rajula et al, 2008: 191)

A study was conducted in South Africa by Kim et al (2007) with an objective to prove that women empowerment leads to significant reduction in intimate partner violence, according to the cluster-randomised trial conducted in rural South Africa by the Intervention for Microfinance for AIDS and Gender Equity (IMAGE). Results show that empowering women economically and socially can contribute significantly to intimate gender violence reduction.

Still in Africa, a study was conducted in Uganda by Agha et al (2004) and centred on client perception of the quality of care provided by midwives. The study verified the impact of a microfinance scheme that provided relevant business

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skills and revolving loans on client loyalty. Result shows that midwives were very interested in microfinance. It further shows that microfinance have the capacity of strengthening private sector health services.

From the Nigerian perspective, Ewhrujakpor (2008) emphasized that poverty in Nigeria is the direct consequence of decreased investments, output, income purchasing power and savings. His review of the Poverty Alleviation programme, National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS) shows that reducing poverty in Nigeria is the most difficult challenge and obstacle in her pursuit of sustainable economic growth. The implementation of government policies is left in the hands of people who betray the confidence of the masses. This is a research gap identified by this researcher that formed the basis for his choice of research topic.

According to Shola (2008: 496), “the pervasiveness and persistence of poverty in [Nigeria] is a massive betrayal of her rich resource base. The failure of antipoverty initiatives, with its attendant negative implications may not be unconnected with the pervasiveness of perverse incentive structures that engender and nourish opportunism at the expense of a fairly even distribution of income and wealth.”

The study conducted by Irobi Nnenna Christiana in 2008, a degree thesis of the Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet, Uppsala, Sweden entitled Microfinance and Poverty Alleviation, A Case Study of Obazu Progressive Women Association, Mbieri, Imo State, Nigeria focused on women, the beneficiaries of microfinance, and how it affects the welfare of different groups of individuals and households. Mbieri, in Imo State, was chosen because “it is one of the villages that rural women, which engage in microfinance activities, live.” Empirical data were collated using informant interview and questionnaire methods. The researcher’s objective was to determine the rural women’s (the beneficiaries) experiences in business (such as farming, dress making, trading etc.) with the assistance from the credits received from the association. The findings of the study showed that “the microfinance intervention has a positive impact on the alleviation of poverty among women of this association. Interestingly, this study found that most women in this association experienced increased income and therefore improved their economic status, political and social conditions after receiving the loans.” (Irobi, 2008: vii)

Another study was conducted by Fasoranti Mary Modupe in 2008, entitled Economic Implication of Poverty Alleviation Programs on Rural Women in Ondo State, A Case Study of Country Women Association of Nigeria (COWAN). The study examined the economic implication of COWAN poverty alleviation programme on

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rural women. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 100 respondents from Ikare and Ugbe from Akoko North-East and Oka and Okungba from Akoko South-West. The researcher focused on loans (by COWAN) granted to “poor women who don’t have two dollars of their own to start any meaningful business” and who do menial jobs. “Result showed that loan facilities from COWAN has positive influence on the level of income; the result of the return to scale analysis showed efficient utilisation of the loans.” (Fasoranti, 2008: 352)

1.1.1 Structure of literature review

The review of literature of this study will take the following format:

1. Understanding the concept of poverty

o What is poverty?

o Causes of poverty

o Measuring poverty

2. Poverty alleviation

o Issues and challenges

o Interventions

3. The concept of microfinance

o History of microfinance outside Nigeria

• The Shore Bank case

• The Gramen Bank case

• The Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee case

o History and challenges of microfinance in Nigeria

o Differences between microfinance and global banks

o Objectives and roles of microfinance

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4. Alleviating poverty through micro-financing

o Stakeholders

o Legal frameworks

5. World Bank poverty alleviation initiatives in Nigeria

6. Understanding the study area

o Nigeria

o Ogun State

o Sagamu local government area

1.2.0 Significance of the study

Following the presence of microfinance institutions in Sagamu Local Government

Area in Nigeria, this study is significant to deciphering their roles in alleviating

poverty within the local government, seeing that the dwellers continue to

deteriorate toward penury, neglect, poverty, and non-support. This study will

include both economically capable men and women – the beneficiaries of poverty

alleviation programmes, and will examine the concept of microfinance in Nigeria,

in answer to the research questions.

The study will, therefore, be useful to the micro and medium scale enterprises

that require or use microfinance banks, the poor in Nigeria (especially Sagamu

settlers) who may not be aware of the microfinance options available to them and

have missed out on several opportunities to lift themselves out of the poverty rot,

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and by extension the microfinance institutions which serves this fundamental

purpose.

1.3.0 Research questions and objectives

The following research questions and objectives will be treated in this study:

1.3.1 Research questions

1. How do microfinance schemes alleviate poverty in Nigeria?

2. How do microfinance institutions understand the concept of microfinance

in Nigeria?

The researcher intends to explore ways that microfinance schemes have

alleviated poverty in Sagamu local government area of Ogun State, Nigeria

borrowing insight from Bangladesh and select third world countries, for

comparative analysis of the Nigerian situation. The researcher will also take a

cursory look on the extent of understanding of the strategic roles expected of

microfinance institutions and how much (or little) these institutions understand

their socio-economic role.

To achieve the above, interview questions and questionnaire items will be

tailored to the issues raised above and data analysed using SPSS.

1.3.2 Research objectives:

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1. To examine the role of microfinance schemes in poverty alleviation in

Nigeria.

2. To clarify the concept of microfinance for a better understanding by

institutions and beneficiaries.

The first objective will be achieved through guided interviews, personal

observation, and relevant records obtained through permission from agencies

and beneficiaries. Data gathered through the questionnaire will be examined

using SPSS.

On the other hand, the concept of microfinance will be comprehensively

explored in the review of literature. Cases of countries in, Asia, South/Latin

America, and Africa will be comparatively reviewed to better understand the

concept of microfinance. Interview and questionnaire items will be structured

to capture data on corporate understating of the microfinance concept.

1.4.0 Research methodology

This section focuses on the procedures to be used in this study to examine the

role of microfinance schemes in poverty alleviation in Nigeria and the

comprehension of its concepts. It restricts the study to the description of the

methods used in data collection and analysis in order to arrive at research

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conclusions. It further describes the procedures that were followed and

instruments used in relevant data collection and analysis.

1.4.1 Research design

To achieve the objectives of this research, the researcher will undertake a tour of

Sagamu local government, to visibly isolate the microfinance institutions

represented in the local government, their areas of focus and modes of operation

so as to measure each microfinance institution’s impact on poverty alleviation

through the many schemes they implement.

The study will be conducted in Sagamu local government, Nigeria. The

researcher’s interest in Sagamu arises from his many trips to the local

government in recent times. The researcher found out that although there exist

microfinance institutions, a significant number of Sagamu dwellers continue to

live in poverty. There is no middle class, just a hollowed gap between the super-

rich and the poor.

The researcher will sample officials of microfinance institutions, local government

officials and beneficiaries (expected and current) of poverty alleviation

programmes. The choice of these samples is to ensure that no detail within the

reach of the researcher is left out.

1.4.2 Data collection

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The researcher will interview fifty (50) carefully selected respondents

(beneficiaries and institutional); administer forty (40) questionnaires on

respondents (beneficiaries and institutional). Data (records) detailing the modes

of operations in poverty alleviation schemes embarked upon will be sought from

the local government and ten (10) microfinance institutions.

The aim of applying these methods is to explore individual and corporate opinions

about the success or failure rate of microfinance schemes as well as to explore

the concept and workings of microfinance. The researcher will creatively interact

with people of the communities in order to gather interesting data to facilitate

this study. To achieve this, he plans to pay personal visits to selected respondents

(beneficiaries and institutional) at their business places.

It is projected that data collection will be concluded in four (4) weeks: four (4)

interviews/day plus questionnaire administration (3 weeks); secondary data

collected from two (2) institutions/day (1 week).

The interviews will be recorded using an electronic storage device and

subsequently analysed using Nvivo software. Statistical Package for Social

Sciences (SPSS) will be used to analyse the returned questionnaires using

descriptive statistics. The objectives will be tested using simple regression

method.

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Responses to questions would be coded, tabulated and processed using the

Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software and will be analyzed using

frequencies with mean, mode and median indicated. Percentages will be worked

out to indicate positions with measures of central tendencies and measures of

dispersions. Dependent and independent variables will be used for regression

analysis. Other data will be statistically treated for scientific, objective

interpretations.

Deriving from the above, data will be presented in tables, graphs, charts, etc.

Findings will be deduced from these followed by logical conclusions which will

form the basis for appropriate recommendations.

1.4.5 Ethical Permission

Before embarking on interviews, administering the research instrument

(questionnaire), and other data collection method suitable for this study,

permission will be sought from relevant individuals and departments of agencies

to be sampled. This is to avoid unauthorised acquisition of data and rights

infringement.

The researcher intends to avoid request for names of respondents, as this will not

form the basis for analysing the research instruments. Commercially sensitive

data will be handled with utmost discretion and for analytical purpose only. This

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will form part of my proposal to relevant agencies whose staff I intend to seek

data and documents for analysis so as to facilitate my findings.

Please find attached a copy of ethics form as instructed by the school authority.

(see Appendix 2)

1.5.0 Time Scale

To guarantee viability, the researcher has divided this study into phases, to give a

clear idea of the duration of study.

Stages Study Duration

1. Review of literature 4 weeks

2. Data collection 4 weeks

3. Data analysis and presentation 4 weeks

4. Research conclusion and publication 2 weeks

Due to unforeseen occurrences, it is possible for this study to take longer than

expected. However, some ‘slippage time’ has been designed into this study to

ensure viability.

1.6.0 Resources

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The researcher will require the following resources, to ensure the timely success

of the research project:

A laptop computer for publishing reports

A functional mobile internet modem for online research

Assistance from staff of local government and microfinance agencies to

gain access to data

An electronic voice recording device for the conduct of interviews

Two (2) adhoc staff for questionnaire administration

Writing materials

Finance to facilitate mobility

In addition, Mr. Sunday Nse, a Researcher at ValueFronteira Limited, Lagos,

Nigeria and a part-time Strategic Management Lecturer at Strategic Business

School, Lagos, Nigeria has been contacted to train me on questionnaire design

and the use of Nvivo and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software for

data analysis.

However well planned the resources put in place to facilitate this research are the

researcher expects some limitations. These limitations will in no way adversely

affect data collection, analysis, and research conclusions.

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References

Agha, S., Balal, A. and Ogojo-Okello, F. (2004). The impact of a microfinance programme on clients perceptions of the quality of care provided by private sector midwives in Uganda, Health Services Research, Part 2, 39(6), pp. 2081-2098.

Ahmed, S. M. (2009). Capability development among the ultra-poor in Bangladesh: A case study, Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, 27(4), pp. 528.

Anyanwu, J. C. (2005). Rural poverty in Nigeria: Profile, determinants and exit paths, African Development Bank, pp 435-458.

Chemin, M. (2008). The benefits and cost of microfinance: Evidence from Bangladesh, Journal of Development Studies, 44(4), pp. 463-484.

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Chowdhury, M. J. A., Ghosh, D. and Wright, R. E. (2005). The impact of microcredit on poverty: Evidence from Bangladesh, Progress in Development Studies, 5(4), pp. 298-309.

Elahi, K. Q. and Danopoulos, C. P. (2004). Microfinance and third world development: A critical analysis, Journal of Political and Military Sociology, 32(1), pp. 61-77.

Ewhrujakpor, C. (2008). Poverty and its alleviation: The Nigerian Experience, International Social work, 51 (4), pp 519-531.

Fasoranti, M. M. (2008). Economic implication on poverty alleviation programs on rural women in Ondo State, a case study of Country Women Association of Nigeria, Journal of Social Sciences, 4 (4), pp 352-356.

Haque, M. S. and Yamao, M. (2008). Can microcredit alleviate rural poverty? A case study of Bangladesh, Proceedings of World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, Vol. 36.

Irobi, N. C. (2008). Microfinance and poverty alleviation: A case study of Obazu Progressive Women Association, Mbieri, Imo State, Nigeria. Master, Uppsala, Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet, pp 2-5.

Johnson, S. (2000). Gender impact assessment in microfinance and microenterprise: Why and how, Development in Practice, 10(1), pp. 89-93.

Kim, J. C., Watts, C. H., Hargreaves, J. R., Ndhlovu, L. X., Phetia, G., Morison, L. A., Busza, J., Porter, J., D., H., and Pronyk, P. (2007). Understanding the impact of a microfinance-based intervention on women’s empowerment and the reduction of intimate partner violence in South Africa, American Journal of Public Health, 97(10), pp. 1794-1801.

McCarther, E. (2006). Women and microfinance: Why we should do more, University of Maryland Law Journal of Race, Religion, Gender and Class, 6, P. 353-366.

McGuire, P. B. and Conroy, J. D. (2000). The microfinance phenomenon, Asia-Pacific Review, 7(1), pp. 90-106.

Rajula, B. S., Nguyen V. S., and Vo V. T. (2008). Microfinance and poverty reduction in the Mekong Delta in Vietnam, African and Asian Studies, 7, pp. 191-215.

Schreiner, M. and Colombel, H. H. (2001). From urban to rural: Lessons for microfinance from Argentina, Development Policy Review, 19(3), pp. 339-354.

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Shola, J. O. (2008). Combating poverty for sustainable human development in Nigeria: The continuing struggle, Journal of poverty, 12 (4), pp 496-517.

APPENDIX 1: Map Showing Sagamu Local Government Area

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Map data ©2009 Europa Technologies (Powered by Google)

APPENDIX 2: Research Ethics Release Forms

LOCAL LEVEL AUTHORISATION: POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH PROJECT

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Project not involving human participants

Name : ADEYINKA ADEKUNLE ILORI

Programme : MSc Contemporary Accounting

Project Title :- POVERTY ALLEVIATION IN NIGERIA:

THE MICROFINANCE APPROACH

(A CASE STUDY OF SAGAMU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA,

OGUN STATE, NIGERIA.)

Sources to be used

Agha, S., Balal, A. and Ogojo-Okello, F. (2004). The impact of a microfinance programme on clients perceptions of the quality of care provided by private sector midwives in Uganda, Health Services Research, Part 2, 39(6), pp. 2081-2098.

Ahmed, S. M. (2009). Capability development among the ultra-poor in Bangladesh: A case study, Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, 27(4), pp. 528.

Anyanwu, J. C. (2005). Rural poverty in Nigeria: Profile, determinants and exit paths, African Development Bank, pp 435-458.

Chemin, M. (2008). The benefits and cost of microfinance: Evidence from Bangladesh, Journal of Development Studies, 44(4), pp. 463-484.

Chowdhury, M. J. A., Ghosh, D. and Wright, R. E. (2005). The impact of microcredit on poverty: Evidence from Bangladesh, Progress in Development Studies, 5(4), pp.

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Student Undertaking

I confirm that I am proposing to undertake this research project in the manner described. I understand that I may not approach any human participants or involve human subjects in the course of this work. I also understand that I am required to abide by the terms of this authorisation throughout the life of the project; and that if I subsequently wish to involve human participants or human subjects I will seek approval for this immediately, and will not undertake such research unless and until approval is granted. I understand that if I infringe the terms of this authorisation my work may not be marked.

Signed Date

ILORI ADEYINKA ADEKUNLE October 1, 2009

Supervisor’s agreement

Name Signature Date

……………………………… ……………………………… ………..

Authorisation– Research Ethics Co-ordinator

Name Signature Date

…………………………… ……………………………… ………...

This form will be retained for the purposes of assurance of compliance and audit for the duration of the research project and for five calendar years thereafter.

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