EVALUATION OF THE HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS OF THE NIGER DELTA DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION, 2000-2015

EVALUATION OF THE HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS OF THE NIGER DELTA DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION, 2000-2015

Abstract:

Over the decades, the Nigerian government established a range of institutions and initiatives to address poverty, youth restiveness, conflict and under-development in the Niger Delta region. This study is an Evaluation of the Human Capital Development Programs of the Niger Delta Development Commission, 2000-2015. The objectives of the study were to examine the nature of Human capital development programs (HCDPs) ofNDDC, identify the beneficiariesof NDDC‟s HCDPs, assess the impact of NDDC‟s HCDPs on the people, examine the people perception of NDDC‟s HCDPs and identify the challenges of NDDC‟s HCDPs. Literature were reviewed in line with the study‟s objectives. Human capital theory served as the theoretical framework for the study. The study was carried out across three local government areas of Delta State; namely, Udu, Uvwie and Warri South. The study adopted quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. The quantitative data instrument was astructured questionnaire. Four hundred copies of the questionnaire were administered to respondents across the three local government areas, out of which, three hundred and seventy-seven copies were returned. In-addition, the qualitative technique of in-depth interview (IDI) was used. To this end, ten key informants were interviewed. The quantitative data was analyzed through simple statistical analysis and interpretation, while the qualitative data was analyzed in a thematicform. On the nature of NDDC‟s HCDPs, the study revealed that,scholarship and skill acquisition were the most provided HCDPs. The study further revealed that, the poor, illiterate and rural areas benefited less from NDDC‟s HCDPs. The study also found that, the HCDPs of NDDC have not substantially impacted on the socio-economic development of the people as poverty is high and the anticipated peace and stability goals of NDDC‟s HCDPsare yet to be attained. The result of the study further indicated that NDDC‟s HCDPs is seriously affected by corruption and favoritism. On the basis of the study‟s findings, it was recommended that, NDDC‟s leadership must have a strong political will to address corruption through leadership by example. In addition, persons of proven integrity should manage the HCDPs of NDDC. Also, the HCDPs of NDDC should be diversified to include agriculture, particularly fishery and poultry. The study also recommended that, the rural areas should be carried along through the establishment of more training centers in those areas.

EVALUATION OF THE HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS OF THE NIGER DELTA DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION, 2000-2015