Christian Social Action and Poverty Alleviation in Nasarawa State

Nasarawa State in North Central Nigeria combines a significant Christian population with high rates of rural poverty, creating a context where Christian social action can have meaningful development impact. This study examines how selected churches in Nasarawa State translate their social action theology into practical poverty alleviation programmes. A descriptive case study design was adopted, examining six church-based poverty alleviation programmes in Lafia, Keffi, and Nasarawa LGAs. Data were collected through interviews with programme coordinators, focus groups with 40 programme beneficiaries, and documentary analysis of programme activity records from 2020 to 2023. The theological frameworks motivating social action are assessed alongside programme design and impact data. Findings indicate that churches in Nasarawa State engage in poverty alleviation primarily through food distribution, school fee support, and vocational training. Most programmes reach 50 to 150 beneficiaries per church annually. Long-term economic transformation outcomes are limited by short programme cycles and insufficient integration of livelihoods development approaches. Theological motivation is strong but programmatic capacity is weak. The study concludes that Christian social action in Nasarawa State is well-intentioned but underperforms its potential due to capacity gaps and the absence of evidence-based programme design. It recommends that church social action programmes be guided by integrated community development principles developed through training partnerships with Nigerian development organisations.

Keywords: Christian social action, poverty alleviation, Nasarawa State, community development, North Central Nigeria