1.1 Introduction
A programme, in the context of social and developmental initiatives, is a coordinated set of activities designed to achieve specific objectives within a defined period (Okafor, 2005). In Nigeria, the concept of a “pet programme” refers to initiatives championed personally by public figures, often first ladies, to address social issues, empower marginalized groups, and create visible developmental impacts. Maryam Babangida's Better Life Programme for Rural Women, launched in 1987 during her husband General Ibrahim Babangida's administration, is widely recognized as Nigeria's first structured attempt at mobilizing rural women for socio-economic development (Oduyoye, 2010).
The Better Life Programme is aimed at improving the living standards of rural women through education, healthcare, agricultural development, and small-scale industries. The programme introduced concepts of self-reliance, women's cooperatives, and community-based development, offering women the tools to participate actively in national development (Aina, 2008). Maryam Babangida's personal involvement in the programme gave it visibility and urgency, and it is credited with creating the first sustainable framework for women's empowerment led by a first lady in Nigeria.
This chapter will address the background information that motivated this study, the challenges that prompted it, its aim, and its objectives as a preface to subsequent sections of the study. Additional factors include the study's significance, scope, limitations, research questions and hypotheses, and the definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
The Better Life Programme for Rural Women, popularly referred to as Maryam Babangida's pet programme, was launched in 1987 as a first-of-its-kind initiative in Nigeria, aimed at empowering rural women through socio-economic interventions. According to Okafor (2005), the programme emerged against the backdrop of widespread poverty, illiteracy, and gender inequality in rural areas, and sought to provide women with practical tools to participate actively in community development. The programme's primary focus was on improving health care, education, and income-generating activities for rural women, creating a framework for self-reliance and empowerment (Okafor, 2005).
Oduyoye (2010) reported that the programme implemented several strategies, including the establishment of women's cooperatives, vocational training centres, and agricultural support schemes. These initiatives provided women with access to small-scale credit, business training, and technical skills, enabling them to initiate sustainable income-generating projects. The programme also introduced literacy classes and health awareness campaigns, which were designed to improve maternal health and reduce the incidence of preventable diseases in rural communities.
Aina (2008) stated that Maryam Babangida's personal leadership was a critical factor in the programme's visibility and success. Her active engagement in monitoring projects, attending workshops, and advocating for policy support gave the programme national prominence. She also affirmed that the initiative inspired similar programmes across Africa, positioning Nigeria as a model for women's empowerment led by first ladies.
According to Okafor (2005), the role of first ladies in Nigeria has historically extended beyond ceremonial functions, often involving the initiation of programmes aimed at social development and women's empowerment. Maryam Babangida, as the First Lady from 1985 to 1993, reported that her Better Life Programme for Rural Women was designed to address socio-economic inequalities affecting rural women, particularly in the areas of education, health, and agriculture. The programme was a pioneering effort to mobilize women at the grassroots level and integrate them into national development initiatives (Okafor, 2005).
Oduyoye (2010) asserted that the Better Life Programme was instrumental in introducing women's cooperatives, literacy classes, and health interventions in rural communities, creating an avenue for women to participate in income-generating activities and community development projects. These initiatives were widely regarded as innovative at the time because they combined social welfare with practical empowerment strategies.
Aina (2008) stated that Maryam Babangida's personal involvement in the programme gave it credibility and visibility, setting a precedent for subsequent first ladies in Nigeria to champion similar developmental projects. She further affirmed that the programme's success was partly due to its ability to link women's economic empowerment with broader social policies, including the promotion of maternal health and rural entrepreneurship (Aina, 2008). Chinwe (2012) contended that despite the programme's notable achievements, challenges existed in sustaining its impact beyond Maryam Babangida's tenure. The lack of institutionalized support structures and consistent funding made it difficult to maintain some of the initiatives, leading to questions about the programme's long-term legacy. This study is set against the backdrop of understanding the historical significance, achievements, and limitations of Maryam Babangida's pet programme.
1.3 Statement of Problems
The study is confronted with several interrelated problems that hinder a full understanding of the history and impact of Maryam Babangida's pet programme. Although the Better Life Programme for Rural Women was introduced with the aim of improving the socio-economic status of rural women and mobilizing them for greater participation in national development, there is limited comprehensive documentation about how this programme fundamentally influenced rural women's lives beyond anecdotal accounts. This insufficiency of systematic records makes it difficult to determine whether the programme's objectives were fully achieved or only superficially realised within some communities (Punch, 2020).
Furthermore, there is ambiguity about the role of structural and institutional support for maintaining the momentum of the Better Life Programme once Maryam Babangida left office, contributing to difficulties in tracing continuity and legacy of the model in subsequent years. On the other hand, some narratives suggest that the programme set a precedent for future empowerment efforts by first ladies, but the degree to which later initiatives built on the foundations of the Better Life Programme rather than merely emulating its form is unclear (The Guardian, 2020). It is against this backdrop that this study seeks to investigate and clarify these challenges, offering a nuanced historical account that balances documented achievements with a critical analysis of limitations and enduring impacts of the Better Life Programme.
1.4 Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study is to examine the history, objectives, strategies, and outcomes of Maryam Babangida's pet programme, highlighting both its successes and challenges. It aims to provide a critical understanding of how first-lady-led initiatives influenced women's empowerment and rural development in Nigeria. The study also seeks to document lessons that will inform future development policies and programmes targeted at improving the socio-economic status of women.
1.5 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to analyze the history and impact of Maryam Babangida's Better Life Programme for Rural Women, assessing its contributions to women's empowerment and national development. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To investigate the historical development and background of the Better Life Programme.
- To identify the strategies and initiatives implemented under the programme.
- To assess the achievements and challenges faced by the programme.
- To examine the programme's influence on subsequent women's empowerment initiatives in Nigeria.
- To provide recommendations for sustaining first-lady-led empowerment programmes.
1.6 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- What was the historical development and background of the Better Life Programme?
- What strategies and initiatives were implemented under Maryam Babangida's pet programme?
- What were the achievements and challenges faced by the programme?
- How did the programme influence subsequent women's empowerment initiatives in Nigeria?
- What recommendations can be made to sustain first-lady-led empowerment programmes?
1.7 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
- H01: There is no significant impact of Maryam Babangida's Better Life Programme on women's socio-economic empowerment in Nigeria.
- H02: Maryam Babangida's Better Life Programme has a significant impact on women's socio-economic empowerment in Nigeria.
1.8 Significance of Study
It is believed that at the completion of the study, the outcome will serve as a valuable reference for scholars, students, and researchers, enhancing knowledge about the role of first ladies in socio-economic development. The study will also benefit policymakers by providing data-driven insights for designing women-focused development programmes.
Furthermore, development organizations and NGOs will benefit by understanding the successes and limitations of the Better Life Programme. In addition, the government will benefit by learning from the programme's historical impact to inform future social and economic policies.
Lastly, the study will benefit academic researchers and students by offering detailed historical and analytical perspectives on first-lady-led initiatives.
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