The role of churches in government poverty eradication programmes in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper reflects on the role of the churches in the Nigerian government’s programmes to eradicate poverty. It considers the issue of justice, especially as it relates to the responsibility of church and government toward the poor. Some guidelines are also provided by which churches may evaluate programmes designed to help the poor. It observes that the churches, by virtue of their moral, spiritual and constitutional mandate, have the responsibility to engage and have been successfully engaging in poverty issues even without government assistance. The paper concludes that should government work in partnership with the churches, this will increase the chances of success of its (government’s) poverty eradication programmes because churches have the potential to become major catalysts for grassroots economic development in Nigeria.