EFFECTOF N-POWER TRAINING PROGRAMME ON INCOME STATUS OF NIGERIAN YOUTHS. EVIDENCE FROM SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

Abstract

The survey was carried out to assess the impact of N-Power training programme on income status of Nigerian youths in Southwest Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was employed to select 240 respondents which were disaggregated into 120 beneficiaries and 120 non-beneficiaries of N-power programme. Data were collected using structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics (DS), Endogenous Switching Regression (ESR) and Likert Scale Rating (LSR) were used in analyzing the socioeconomic characteristics, impact of N-power training on welfare and perceived benefits of N-power training. The result shows that the average age of beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries was put at 29years and 28years, respectively. The beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries had mean household size of 9members and 6members respectively with and monthly income of N58, 273.00 and N17, 246.00 respectively. Log-likelihood (-2.6554; p<0.01) and Wald chi2 (79.20; p<0.01) suggest that the ESR model was fit and appropriate; welfare was positively influenced by household size, monthly income and frequency of training while participation in N-power training was found to be influenced by household size, frequency of training and access to information. Pair t-test hypothesis correlation result (0.224; p<0.01) led to acceptance of alternate hypothesis that there is a significant difference in the monthly income of beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries of N-power. It was recommended that more resources should be mobilized towards recruiting more youths for the N-power scheme.