PUBLIC POLICY AND GRASSROOTS DEVELOPMENT: AN ASSESSMENT OF THE NATIONAL SOCIAL INVESTMENT PROGRAMME (NSIP) IN LAGOS STATE.

Résumé

Abstract

This study set out to examine how far the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme, implemented under the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), has contributed to grassroots development and helped address the pressing challenge of youth unemployment in Lagos State. Beyond simply providing financial support, the study takes a closer look at whether the programme is making a meaningful difference in the lives of young people-particularly in terms of improving their employment prospects and equipping them with relevant skills. To achieve this, a descriptive survey research design was adopted. The study drew from a population of 36,980 CCT beneficiaries across Lagos State, from which a sample of 396 respondents was determined using the Taro Yamane formula. These respondents were carefully selected through a stratified random sampling technique to ensure fair representation across the five administrative divisions of the state - IBILE: Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Epe, and Lagos Island. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), while regression analysis was employed to test the study’s hypotheses. The findings provide encouraging insights. The results show that the CCT programme has a statistically significant positive effect on both employment opportunities (F = 66.530, p < 0.001, B = 0.512) and skill acquisition (F = 71.518, p < 0.001, B = 0.517) among unemployed youth in Lagos State. In practical terms, this suggests that the programme is not only offering short-term financial relief but is also contributing, to a meaningful extent, to improving young people’s chances of finding work and developing useful skills. These outcomes are consistent with existing studies which highlight that well-designed and effectively implemented cash transfer programmes can play a vital role in strengthening human capital and promoting economic empowerment. However, the study also recognises that there is still room to deepen and sustain this impact. Considering these findings, the study recommends that the Nigerian government broaden the reach of the CCT programme to include more unemployed youth, while also strengthening its design. Integrating structured job placement initiatives and enhancing vocational and skills training components would help ensure that beneficiaries are better positioned for long-term employment and self-reliance.

Keywords: Cash, Conditional, Employment, Grassroots, Transfer, Unemployment.