Analysis of effectiveness of social capital formation among fishing households in Kainji Lake Basin, Nigeria

This study examined the effectiveness of social capital formation on the livelihood of fisher - folks in fishing households in Kainji Lake Basin of Niger State. Multistage sampling technique was employed in the selection of 290 respondents. The Specific objectives are to: i. describe the socio-economic characteristic of the respondents; ii. assess the level of fisher-folk awareness of social capital formation; iii. identify sources of information about social capital formation, and iv. determine effect of social capital formation on fisher-folks households: Data were collected with questionnaire complemented with interview guide. Both descriptive and inferential statistics was employed. Result showed that the mean age of respondents was 42 years; majority (95.2%) were male. More than half (59.2%) had no formal education, 93.7% were married. The mean year of cooperatives was 9 years. The mean year of fishing experience was 22 years, and less than half (45.1%) were members of fish farmers organization. Majority of fisher-folk household had high awareness on bonding (78.6%) while bridging was (76.9%) with linking of (77.6%). Relatives, friends and neighbours (59.7%), were the major sources of information available to the respondents about fishing activities. The social capital formation on bonding relationships shows that (family members, friends and relatives, neighbours) involved closed tie relationship among the fisher-folks was found to be effective, social capital formation on bridging relationships that involved (social groups, organizations and associations within a community) among the fisher-folks was also found to be effectives, social capital formation on linking that involves relationships (between community groups, residents/tenants association, governmental partnership) among the fisher-folks was found to be effective in enhancing active participation in volunteers services, reciprocity and trust among various fisher-folks groups. Regression result shows that household size, experience, and income influenced the effectiveness of social capital formation. Therefore, in conclusion the null hypothesis was rejected, while the alternative hypothesis was accepted. There was high awareness of bonding, bridging and linking social capital by the respondents Therefore, there is need to promote social ties either horizontally or vertically in order to access services that will enhance the economic well-being of the respondents.Keywords: Network Social Capital formatio