Developing Country Studies www.iiste.org ISSN 2224-607X (Paper) ISSN 2225-0565 (Online) Vol.4, No.20, 2014 58 National Poverty Eradication Programme and Poverty Reduction in Nigeria: Empirical Investigation of the Programme Impact in Cross River State Antai, Agnes Sylvester & Anam, Bassey Ekpenyong Department of economics, Institute of Public Policy and Administration University of Calabar, Cross River State Abstract The study examines the impact of the National Poverty Eradication Programme on poverty reduction in Cross River State. To guide the study, two major hypotheses were stated and primary data were obtained from 361 respondents from the benefactors of the State government Conditional Cash Transfer. The data obtained were tested using Chi-square statistical tool at. 05 degree of significance to examine the level of impact. The analysis of data in reveals that the calculated value of chi square (18.1) was greater than the table value of chi (9.49), tested at. 05 level of significance. This implied that the implementation of NAPEP has a significant impact on entrepreneurial development among youths in Cross River State. In table 2, the results obtained also showed that the calculated value of chi square (15.1) is greater than the table value of chi (9.49), tested at .05 level of significance, meaning that the null hypothesis was ignored and the alternative that the implementation of NAPEP has significant impacts on the provision of micro credit facilities to entrepreneur in Cross River State was accepted. However, the results obtained called for attention to other areas of interest neglected by the programme. These were identified to include the need to harness agriculture, water and solid minerals resources and conservation efforts especially in the rural-areas where the main occupation is agriculture. This concern formed the baseline for policy recommendations. Introduction Like most developing nations, several Nigerian governments have come up with policy measures to address the challenges of poverty reduction. One of such policy measures is the National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP).The Government of President Olusegun Obasanjo, at inception in May, 1999, expressed deep concern about the rise of poverty in Nigeria. The Government realized that if the worsening poverty situation is not checked, the future of the nation would be doomed (Aku & Oladeji, 1997). In light of this, the Government introduced a number of measures aimed at making a dent on poverty. Among other things, these measures were intended to restore hope to the masses. This involves providing basic necessities to hitherto neglected people particularly in the rural areas; restore economic independence and confidence; and foster wealth creation. Notwithstanding its laudable objectives, the present incidence of poverty in the Cross River State, and Nigeria at large can lead to the conclusion that the past poverty alleviation programmes have not achieved much. Rural areas are still characterized by inadequate infrastructural facilities. Evidence is in the persistence of rural poverty, resulting from lack of access to education, health facilities, portable water, electricity, good roads and so on. The consequences are low literacy level and poor health standards due to undernourishment and diseases as well as low economic productivity (Aliu, 2001; Ogunmike, 2001 & Bradshaw, 2006). This continuing trouble state necessitates this study. This is perhaps due certain local and institutional challenges hindering the effective implementation of these programmes. One of the objectives and mandate of NAPEP is: the provision of employment and income generation through various activities. However, lack of involvement of the target beneficiaries in identifying the right projects coupled with administrative and operational failures are among the problems hindering the achievement of the objectives of the programmes. This study is set to examine the impact of rural development policies on the improvement of rural infrastructure in Cross River State. Statement of the problem The problems of rural Nigeria have been of concern to scholars and policy makers since the 60s. Ebong (1991) confirmed these concerns when he listed the challenges of rural Nigeria to include, lack of basic infrastructures; poor access roads; a dirge of educational facilities; lack of pipe borne water; inequality; low per capita income; high unemployment; and what have you. Esema (2007) added that they are usually characterized by poor health; lack of basic nutrition; inadequate housing; social discrimination and inadequate/ineffective channels through which concerns can be voiced. To transform the vast rural areas of Nigeria into the mainstream of national development, governments at various levels (federal, state and local) have come up with a number of policies and programmes. One of these policy measures is the National Poverty Eradication Programme, set up in 1999 by the Obasanjo administration (Anam, 2011).