Impact Of Women Empowerment On Poverty Reduction: A Comparative Study Of Governor Murtala Hammayero Nyako And Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri's Administration Of Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the impact of women empowerment on poverty reduction through a comparative analysis of Governor Murtala Hammayero Nyako's administration (2007–2011) and Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri's administration (2019–2023) in Adamawa State, Nigeria. Using an ex-post-facto research design, primary data were collected from 400 respondents drawn from three purposively selected local government areas, Mubi, Girei, and Mayo-Belwa and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlation coefficient. The study identified the types of empowerment programmes implemented under both administrations, examined their respective impacts on poverty reduction, and investigated the challenges constraining programme effectiveness. Findings revealed contrasting outcomes: Nyako's administration recorded a high positive impact (grand mean = 4.38), with entrepreneurship training and skills acquisition as the most effective components. Fintiri's tenure showed moderate to low impact (grand mean = 2.84), with only cash empowerment rated positively, while skills acquisition, education, economic activities, and healthcare access fell below average. Hypothesis testing confirmed a strong positive correlation between cash empowerment and poverty reduction (r = 0.75, p = 0.01) for both administrations. Structural challenges showed a significant negative correlation under Nyako (r = –0.58, p = 0.02) and a moderate positive correlation under Fintiri (r = 0.42, p = 0.05), confirming that barriers significantly moderate empowerment outcomes. The study concludes that while cash transfers provide immediate relief, sustainable poverty reduction requires integrated, multidimensional empowerment strategies. Recommendations include expanding programme coverage, establishing accessible skill acquisition centres, providing start-up kits, implementing gender sensitive programme design, and adopting holistic frameworks combining financial support with skills development, education, healthcare, and economic participation.

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