Abstract

Mounting pressures on poverty eradication on world scale is informed by it severity   and impact on the poor and the disadvantaged. In Nigeria for instance, where its large population lived in rural communities and engaged in subsistence agriculture they are said to be the worse hit; their condition is exacerbated by poor rural infrastructure, bad governance, unsustainable population growth, ethno-religious and tribal conflicts, adverse effects of globalization, inappropriate economic policies, HIV/AIDs pandemic among others. This paper is a general survey of therapeutic approaches on poverty issue in Nigeria. It delved into theoretical and empirical postulations of causes and types as well as attempt to chat a course for critical examination of the depth and magnitude of poverty. The survey drew curtain on the relationship between the citizens and the state in a post-colonial Nigeria. The broad focus of this work hinged on the premise of prevailing trend of poverty in Nigeria and the inadequacies of governmental policies and actions to meet up the yearnings and aspirations of its citizens. The work finally identified the deepening crisis of development in Nigeria as a function of mismanagement, corruption, inequitable distribution of political power and resources. The general perception of the recent economic reform policy in the country is that the policies are alien and western oriented meant to deepen the existing economic gap in the society. This notion has led to the situation of citizens verses the state in series of unhealthy engagements since the reconstitution of democratic institutions in the country.

Key words: Citizens, states, economic policies, corruption, poverty eradication, bad governance, tribal conflicts.