Intersectionality of Poverty, Gender, and Disability in Social Welfare Access in Kogi State

The intersection of poverty, gender, and disability creates compounding forms of disadvantage that standard welfare service models are poorly equipped to address, particularly in North Central Nigerian states. This study analyses how the intersectionality of poverty, gender, and disability shapes social welfare access in Kogi State, drawing on data from Lokoja and Igalamela-Odolu local government areas. An explanatory mixed-method design is employed, with a structured survey of 180 persons with disabilities and 30 qualitative interviews with welfare practitioners and disabled women leaders. Binary logistic regression and thematic analysis are applied in data analysis. The study finds that disabled women in poverty are significantly more likely to be excluded from welfare programme registration, more likely to experience multiple forms of gender-based violence, and less likely to receive rehabilitative social work services compared to disabled men or non-disabled women. Intersectionality theory is applied to explain how institutional practices and service design reproduce these combined disadvantages. The study makes an original empirical contribution to intersectionality-informed social work research in the North Central zone. Recommendations include redesigning welfare programme targeting to use intersectional vulnerability frameworks, training social workers in intersectionality-aware practice, and establishing dedicated welfare outreach for disabled women in poverty. Keywords: intersectionality, poverty, disability, gender, social welfare access