Neoliberal Policies And Poverty Induced Youth Resentment In Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the impact of neoliberal policies and poverty induced youth resentment in Nigeria, with a focus on their role in deepening economic disparities and triggering social unrest. Since the adoption of Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs) in the 1980s, neoliberal reforms in Nigeria have prioritized market liberalization, privatization, and deregulation in an effort to address economic stagnation and fiscal crises. The objectives of the study were to assess the impact of neoliberal policies on poverty and socioeconomic inequality in Nigeria and to analyse the manifestations of poverty-induced youth resentment in Nigeria. The study adopted ex post facto research design, it drew its data from secondary sources; textbooks, journals, internet etc. Relative Deprivation Theory was used as the theoretical underpinning of the study. The study revealed that while these policies contributed to short-term macroeconomic stabilization, they exacerbated income inequality, reduced public investment in critical sectors like healthcare and education, and increased the vulnerability of marginalized populations. The consequences of these policies are evident in the persistent high poverty rates, regional disparities, and widespread public resentment, which have manifested in protests, social unrest, and political instability. This work also revealed that poverty-induced youth resentment has spurred public discontent, as seen in major protests such as the Occupy Nigeria movement (2012) and the End SARS protests (2020), End Bad Governance protests, highlighting the socio-political implications of neoliberal reforms. The study recommended among others the need for more inclusive economic policies and social protection measures to mitigate the adverse effects of neoliberalism, reduce socio-economic inequality, and foster political stability in Nigeria.