Demographic and Socio-economic Factors Influencing Participation in the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme in Bayelsa State, Nigeria (Published)
As a social protection mechanism aimed at reducing poverty, the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme provides cash payments to low-income families. This study examines the demographic and socioeconomic factors influencing participation in the CCT Programme in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Data for the study were obtained through both primary and secondary sources. While Primary data were collected from Conditional Cash Transfer beneficiaries using a questionnaire, Key-Informant Interviews (KIIs) were employed for qualitative data collection. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Thematic content analysis. Findings reveal that beneficiaries were selected using criteria such as household size, employment status, property ownership, and cooking methods, ensuring that resources reached the most disadvantaged members of society. Findings also revealed that women were predominantly chosen as beneficiaries due to their roles as primary caregivers to empower families. It was thus recommended, among others, that the Bayelsa State Government and other stakeholders provide credible and standardised sociodemographic information of citizens to enable the proper identification of those who qualify as beneficiaries of the CCT programme. Also, the programme should offer direct help with healthcare, like affordable medical services, free health check-ups, and advice on good nutrition.
Keywords: : Human Capital, Demographic Characteristics, Socio-Economic, social protection, vulnerability