Caritas University Journal of Political Science (CUJOPS), Volume 2, Number 1, 2019 71 Caritas University Journal of Political Science (CUJOPS) Volume 2, Number 1, 2018 Pp 71-90 AN ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES ON POVERTY ALLEVIATION IN EDO STATE OF NIGERIA (2012-2015) Boris Happy Odalonu Department of Political Science Federal College of Education Eha-Amufu, Enugu State Email: boris2nice@gmail.com & Eberechukwu Faith Obani Department of Political Science Federal College of Education Eha-Amufu Enugu Email eberebeautiful@gmail.com ABSTRACT This study examined the impact of government policies and programmes on poverty alleviation in Nigeria with special reference to Edo State. The study adopted system theory as a theoretical framework of analysis and survey method was utilized for the collection of data through questionnaire administration in six (6) local government areas among the 3 senatorial districts of Edo State. The simple percentage and mean were used to analyze the data. Three hundred (300) questionnaires were distributed out of which two hundred and seventy eight (278) were completed and returned representing 92.7% of the sampled population. The responses of the 278 respondents were used for data analysis of the study. The findings revealed that: Only 35% of the people have benefitted from poverty alleviation programme in Edo State. It was also revealed that lack of funding is one of the major problems militating against poverty eradication programmes in Edo State in particular and Nigeria in general and that the incidence of poverty is still high in Nigeria irrespective of the various poverty alleviation programmes of the government. Based on the findings, the following recommendations were advanced: Edo State Government should create more entrepreneurial skill and youth empowerment and development centres to empower the youths who are mostly affected by poverty; Government should create industries at the same time revive the existing ones in order to boost the economy and create job opportunity for the youth; proper allocation of funds should be channeled into various poverty alleviation programmes of the government to ensure vibrancy and continuity. Keywords: Alleviation, Policies, Programme, Poverty, Edo State.