Correlates of Waqf Based Philanthropy in the North West Zone, Nigeria: Implications for Community Development Theory and Practice

Abstract

This study investigated Correlates of Waqf Based Philanthropy in the North West Zone, Nigeria: Implications for Community Development Theory and Practice. The major purpose of the study is to identify the underlying socio-psychological factors that explain the relationship between individual donor’s socio-economic waqf (SEW) endowing intention and the person’s giving behaviour. The study adopted a survey design. The sample consisted of 307 potential waqf donors in the North West Zone (NWZ). Purposive sampling approach was used. A mixed-method sequential explanatory approach was used in data collection and analysis. Closed-ended questionnaires were used in collecting quantitative data which were analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16 and the results were presented using means, percentages and correlation coefficients. Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was employed for the collection of qualitative data which were content analyzed. Based on an extended version of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), four research hypotheses were formulated and tested for relationship at p=0.05 level of significance. The results revealed that attitude (r=0.351, p<0.01), subjective norm (r=0.538. p<0.01), perceived behavioural control (r=0.459, p<0.01) and religiosity (r=0.407, p<0.01) are positive correlates of intention to endow SEW. While subjective norm appeared to be the strongest of all the predictors of intention to endow SEW, the coefficient for religiosity, compared to others, tended unexpectedly to have weak correlation. The FGD provided illuminating insights into the statistical results. The findings in this study supported and extended the application of the TPB model to monetary and in-kind giving within a non-Western context, and further provided a better understanding of waqf donation behaviour in the NWZ. Recommendations based on the findings have been offered. Among others, Muslim scholars, advocates, and preachers should collaborate and embark on public awareness campaign about endowing SEW; government, non-governmental organizations and community development professionals should take responsibility for training of waqf personnel to provide the waqf sector with requisite staff for efficient management. One of the implications of the study was that Islamic scholars may have to employ the mass media as a strategy in teaching waqf knowledge to a wider audience in addition to using other channels.

Keywords: Correlates, community development, waqf, monetary and in-kind giving, Theory of Planned Behaviour, Hausa, Nigeria, waqf donation behaviour