Impact of Microfinance on Rural Transformation in Nigeria

Abstract

The introduction of microfinance banks in Nigeria is the inability of Nigerian Deposit Money Banks to provide sufficient financial service to the rural poor. Microfinance banks have taken up the challenges of the gap created by the Nigerian Deposit Money Banks. Microfinance banks can be seen as an economic growth method intended to advantage the low income part of a given country like Nigeria, both rural poor and urban poor. The objective of this study is to determine the impact of microfinance on rural transformation in Nigeria. The methodology used by the researcher was descriptive research. The findings of the study shows that micro-finance has impacted positively on the rural poor by providing loans and advances for agriculture, investment opportunities, savings mobilization and credit delivery; asset financing and community development financing. Despite the achievements of microfinance in transforming the rural areas they have been met with stiff difficulties like repayment problem, illiteracy among the poor and inadequate or non-monitoring of micro and small enterprises by the micro financial institutions. The following recommendations were made to address the issues: To match products to customer needs, examination of cash flows and repayment cycles, broaden the range of products and services to the poor and regulatory authorities should look closer to the activities of the microfinance banks.