The subject of poverty is a global topical issue and has become rather disturbing in Nigeria, and Moreso as the country has recently been described as the “Headquarters of Poverty”. Furthermore, it is rather paradoxical that in spite of the huge material and human resources in Nigeria the country is still wearing the toga of a very poor country in the comity of Nations. One of the major government efforts at addressing the issue of poverty and food shortages in Nigeria was President Olusegun Obasanjo’s Poverty Alleviation Programme (PAP). The programme was launched in the year 2000 with a budget of N10 billion Naira. The thrust of this effort is to critique this programme with the aim of identifying the pitfalls that led to its failure, and as well proffer recommendations towards formulation of better programmes that could get the nation up, above poverty line and enable the nation feed its population.