Community Based Organizations and Household Livelihoods in Nigeria

The book examines the role of community based organizations in promoting household livelihood in selected communities of Osun State, Nigeria.Many poverty reduction programmes in the country have not translated into well-being for majority of the poor in urban slums and rural areas. Hence, most people rely on non-state organizations to render assistance for households and communities in poverty conditions.The study showed that organizational life in the selected communities radiate around non formal cultural groups, religious groups,and mutual aid groups who provide financial assistance to members, ensure community integration and provide spiritual assistance. However, the effectiveness in providing the services varied by type of CBOs. Cooperative societies assisted households to access credit and accumulate assets; religious organizations provided health care services; while town development unions collaborated with other CBOs to provide security. The study concludes that CBOs' activities enhance household livelihoods in the study area and provided coping mechanisms for meeting household challenges.