Philosophical Foundations of Islamic Economic Ethics and Their Application to Resolving Poverty in Northern Nigeria

This dissertation examines the philosophical foundations of Islamic economic ethics and develops an original framework for their application to poverty resolution strategies in northern Nigeria. Northern Nigeria's persistent poverty, despite substantial endowments of natural and human resources, represents both a development policy failure and a moral challenge that Islamic economic philosophy is uniquely positioned to address. The study employs a philosophical and applied ethics research methodology, drawing on systematic analysis of Islamic economic philosophy from Ibn Khaldun through to Chapra, Siddiqi, and Zarqa, critical engagement with contemporary poverty theory (Sen's capability approach, participatory poverty assessment frameworks), and empirical grounding through focus group discussions with 120 poor households and 30 Islamic economic policy experts across Kano, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara states. The original contribution is a Maqasid-Informed Poverty Ethical Framework (MIPEF) that integrates capability theory with Islamic obligations of Zakat, Waqf, Qard al-Hasan, and prohibitions of exploitation and hoarding. Findings reveal a significant philosophical convergence between Islamic economic ethics and Sen's capability approach, particularly around the concepts of Maslaha (wellbeing) and Kifayah (sufficiency). The dissertation proposes that MIPEF be adopted as the ethical foundation for a Northern Nigeria Integrated Poverty Reduction Strategy. Keywords: Islamic economic ethics, poverty, northern Nigeria, Maqasid, Islamic philosophy.