Study of the Impact of the National Social Investment Programmes on Poverty Reduction in Osun State

Nigeria's National Social Investment Programmes, comprising the N-Power, TraderMoni, MarketMoni, and Conditional Cash Transfer schemes, represent a major fiscal intervention for poverty reduction, and their impact assessment in Osun State contributes to evidence-based social protection evaluation. This study assessed the impact of selected NSIP programmes on poverty reduction among beneficiaries in Osogbo, Ilesa East, and Ife North Local Government Areas, Osun State. A comparative cross-sectional design surveyed 200 NSIP beneficiaries and 200 matched non-beneficiaries. Data collected covered monthly income, consumption expenditure, household asset acquisition, and food security status. Independent samples t-tests and propensity score matching were applied to estimate programme effects. Results showed that NSIP beneficiaries had significantly higher average monthly per capita consumption (N24,600 versus N19,800, p < 0.001). N-Power youth beneficiaries demonstrated the largest consumption gains. MarketMoni loan recipients showed improved business capital but variable expenditure impacts. Food security status improved significantly among CCT recipients. However, leakage to non-poor households was estimated at 23.4 percent, and 41 percent of eligible households in targeted communities had not received any programme component. The study concludes that NSIPs have a positive but targeted impact in Osun State, constrained by incomplete coverage and some targeting inefficiency. Recommendations include digitalising beneficiary selection using social registry data, expanding CCT to uncovered eligible households, and linking N-Power with structured vocational upgrade pathways. Keywords: social investment programmes, poverty reduction, Osun State, N-Power, conditional cash transfer