Formal rural financial markets in Nigeria: An attractive or deceptive development alternative?

Abstract

This paper uses the outreach paradigm to examine the role of two formal rural financial institutions (Nigerian Agricultural Cooperative Bank and People's Bank of Nigeria) in development financing in Nigeria. Findings show that the two institutions have fared relatively well in the outreach to their target clientele, except women. The paper also suggests that for wider outreach, effective linkage with rural self-help is necessary.