Reinventing The Leverage Of Social Investment Via Social Assistance: National Home-Grown School Feeding Program (NHGSFP) And Financial Capacity Building In Nigeria

Abstract

Over the last three decades, globalization, demographic shifts, and technology advancements have led to strained labor markets and increased inequality in high- and upper-middle-income nations worldwide. In order to balance the competing demands of promoting economic innovation and growth and enhancing population welfare, governments have responded to these challenges with a broad range of measures. The concept and practice of social investment gained importance in the repertoire of policy solutions in this situation. Social investment aims to advance the social inclusion of marginalized people and groups, primarily via long-term human capital development and labor market participation. The study aims to assess the impact of the National Home-Grown School Feeding Program (NHGSFP), as a social investment program, on financial capacity building in Nigeria. The Endogenous Growth Theory was used as the theoretical basis of the study. The study used a mixed methodology comprising of both survey and documentary research designs. Findings of the study established that the NHGSFP has not significantly impacted on the financial capacity of targeted groups like farmers, food vendors and distributors in the value chain, due to factors such as poor multisectoral collaboration, lethargic political commitment, low investment, absence of a holistic approach in implementation, and insufficient Monitoring and Evaluation. The study recommended a comprehensive policy review of the program and the implementation of a balanced multistakeholder approach, as strategies to restructure the program for improved functionality and enhanced financial capacity building.

Keywords

• Financial capacity
• social assistance
• social inclusion
• social investment
• welfare policy

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