Understanding the Nature and Root Causes of Poverty in Nigeria: A Focus on Plateau State

Due to many historical, economic, political, and environmental causes, poverty in Nigeria is still a complicated and widespread problem. This essay explores how poverty is now understood in Nigeria, emphasizing Plateau State. The study looks at three main ways that poverty manifests itself: environmental deterioration, social isolation, and economic deprivation. It illustrates how these elements impact people’s lives locally and nationally, increasing vulnerability, limiting access to necessary services, and raising the likelihood of conflict via instances from Plateau State. Widespread unemployment and restricted access to capital are examples of economic deprivation, but minority groups’ marginalization and the absence of educational possibilities are examples of social exclusion. Food insecurity is made worse by environmental deterioration, which also has a detrimental effect on agricultural output, which is a major source of income for many people in the area. To reduce poverty in Nigeria and accomplish the country’s development objectives, the article ends by urging extensive legislative changes, sustainable development strategies, and community-driven solutions.