Monetary and Nonmonetary Causes of Urban Poverty in Sokoto Metropolis: A Descriptive Assessments

This study examines the monetary and non-monetary causes urban poverty in Sokoto metropolis using a survey dataset for a sample of four hundred and eight respondents. in the analysis, the study used a descriptive statistical technique in form of charts, mean and standard deviation. From the analysis on the monetary causes of poverty this study revealed that factors such as income inequality, persistent inflation, difficulties in accessing loan, macroeconomic shocks and lack of investment opportunities are the fundamental determinants of urban poverty in Sokoto Metropolis. Others include lack of savings and high rate of consumption, unemployment and underemployment, high debt burden, exchange rate depreciation, assets and income level of households and low rate of economic growth. On the non-monetary causes of urban poverty, this study however, attested those factors such as population growth, rural-urban migration, crime and violence, family size, low access to basic services, and level of education. Other non-monetary causes of urban poverty as indicated by this study are poor access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene, inadequate housing, lack of government support, diseases, climate change and corruption and political instability. Based on the findings, this study recommended that the government increase its spending in real sectors like manufacturing and agriculture. This is due to the sectors’ capacity to accommodate various worker types, which will lead to the creation of additional income-generating activities with a view to reducing poverty. The government and other relevant parties should invest more funding into human capital development programmes in the health, education, and, most importantly, entrepreneurial sectors. As a result, the productive capacity of the research region, the incidence of poverty, and the status of welfare will all improve. This will improve the availability of skilled employees in the real sectors. Finally, in order to improve the housing situation, the government should collaborate with financial institutions and wealthy individuals to construct new housing estates at subsidized rates.