Microcredit and poverty reduction (a focus on Ibadan North Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria)

Abstract

Micro-credit is a veritable tool to combating poverty. Poverty is a condition typified by deprivation of basic human needs such as food, safe dwelling place, safe drinking water and their likes. The thrust of this work was to examine the impact of Microfinance on poverty reduction before and after procurement of credit within Ibadan North Local Government Area, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. The research data collection and analysis were obtained from questionnaires. The microfinance tool has roused the interest of academics, policy makers and practitioners, and it has demonstrated huge potential for lending to poor households and has the capacity to help expand the business outlay of the small and medium scale entrepreneurs. Majority of the respondents were female (64%),married (90.5%),in monogamous marriages (80%),traders (55.3%),live in flats (62.5%),possess standard functional generators (62.5%),applied for loans from Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) (88.4%),received loans (92.1%),reported asset procurement after receiving the loans (80.4%) and reported that their business expanded after receiving the loans (85.9%).From the foregoing, it was revealed that microfinance credit scheme among the low-income market traders significantly brought about poverty reduction. Provision of microcredit to low-income market traders has the capacity to strengthen their small businesses, and if well-structured within the household socio-economic space, it has the potential to enhance local and national development.

Keywords: Microcredit, poverty reduction, household, market traders, development