The Role of Economic Empowerment Strategies in Poverty Reduction in Akwa Ibom State: An Analysis of the Dakkada Programme under Governor Udom Emmanuel (2015–2023)

Abstract Poverty remains a significant challenge in Nigeria, particularly at the subnational level, despite various government-led interventions aimed at economic empowerment. This study examined the impact of the DakKada Economic Empowerment Programme in Akwa Ibom State, implemented under the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel (2015–2023), on poverty alleviation and economic empowerment of beneficiaries. The study was guided by the objective of assessing the effectiveness of the programme’s skill acquisition, vocational training, microcredit, and enterprise support components in enhancing income generation, employability, entrepreneurship, and financial stability among youth and women. The study drew on Human Capital Theory, which posits that investments in education, skills, and competencies increase individuals’ productivity, income potential, and capacity for economic participation, providing a framework for understanding how targeted empowerment initiatives can influence poverty reduction. A descriptive survey research design was employed, integrating both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Data was collected from 357 respondents selected from the programme’s beneficiaries using stratified random sampling, as well as from key informants including state ministry officials, project officers, and community leaders through purposive sampling. Structured questionnaires were utilized, while secondary data were gathered from government reports, journals, and relevant publications. Out of 357 questionnaires administered, 350 were retrieved and used for analyses. Quantitative data were analyzed using Chi-square tests to examine the relationships between programme interventions and outcomes, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically to provide contextual insights. Findings revealed that both skill acquisition and vocational training, as well as microcredit and enterprise support, had statistically significant positive effects on income-generating capacity, business performance, employability, and financial stability. Youth and women were particularly empowered, resulting in increased household incomes, improved social mobility, and reduced dependency on government assistance. The study recommends strengthening post-training support and market linkages, enhancing financial and technical assistance for small and medium-sized enterprises, and sustaining gender-inclusive and youth-targeted interventions to maximize long-term economic empowerment.