Mainstreaming Global Goals: the Impact of SGD One on Poverty Reduction in Oyo and Osun States, Nigeria

This study evaluates the impact of Sustainable Development Goal One (SDG 1) on poverty reduction in Nigeria, with a specific focus on Oyo and Osun States. Despite numerous national poverty alleviation policies, including SDG-aligned initiatives such as the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT), Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), and Youth Employment and Social Support Operation (YESSO), poverty remains pervasive in both states. Using a descriptive household survey method with 397 household respondents, the study finds a statistically significant disconnect between the planning and implementation of SDG 1 programmes, particularly in employment generation and policy execution. Although awareness and participation levels are relatively even across programme types, effectiveness remains limited. Probit regression analysis reveals that among four intervention areas, Income Support, Service Access, Health Support, and Employment, only Service Access significantly affects poverty outcomes, and this effect is negative due to inadequate delivery mechanisms. The study concludes that structural and institutional challenges, weak coordination, poor data management, and limited monitoring capacity impede the transformative potential of SDG 1 in the two states. It recommends a shift from short-term palliative interventions to sustainable, data-driven, and community-inclusive strategies that prioritize service delivery, employment, and governance reform.