RURAL

This study examined The Role of Local Government in Rural Economic Development in Nigeria: A Case Study of Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State. The survey research design was adopted because data were collected from a sample population with specific characteristics. Four research questions were formulated and answered using simple percentage analysis. The population of the study consisted of residents of Esan West Local Government Area, and from this population, a total of 350 respondents were selected as the sample using a random sampling technique. The instrument used to collect data for the study was a twenty-item self- structured questionnaire. The study was anchored on the Human Capital Theory and the Modernization Theory. The Human Capital Theory posits that investment in people through education, training, and skill development—enhances productivity, innovation, and economic growth. This theory underscores the importance of developing the human resource base within rural communities as a key driver of economic advancement. The Modernization Theory, on the other hand, emphasizes that rural economic development can be achieved through structural transformation, improved infrastructure, and the adoption of modern administrative practices. Together, these theories provide a framework for understanding how local governments can
stimulate sustainable rural development through both human and institutional capacity building. Based on the findings, the study concluded that local governments play a crucial role in promoting rural economic development through the provision of basic social amenities, rural infrastructure, agricultural support services, and small-scale enterprise promotion. The study revealed that effective local governance enhances community participation, employment creation, and income generation among rural dwellers. However, challenges such as inadequate funding, political interference, poor administrative capacity, and corruption were found to hinder the effectiveness of local governments in fostering sustainable rural development. Respondents emphasized that while the local government system has great potential for grassroots transformation, its performance remains limited by structural and institutional inefficiencies. The study recommends that governments at all levels should increase budgetary allocations to local governments, ensure accountability in the management of public funds, and strengthen capacity-building initiatives for local government officials. In addition, participatory governance, regular project monitoring, and collaboration with community-based organizations should be

This study aimed at assessing the role of CBOs in the development of rural communities in Akure-South Local Government, Ondo State. To enable the study to achieve its objectives, five (5) research questions were raised. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population of this study comprised of all the people living in all communities under Akure-South Local Government, Ondo State from which a total of two hundred (200) are selected to form the sample size for the study. A questionnaire titled “Questionnaire on the role of CBOs in the development of rural communities in Akure-South Local Government, Ondo State was the instrument used for data collection. The validity of the instrument was ascertained through the expert judgment approach while the test re-test method of estimating reliability was used to determine the reliability of the instrument. A reliability index of 0.87 was obtained using Person Product Moment Correlation Statistics. Collected data were analyzed using frequency count, simple percentage, and mean score standard. Findings from the data among others revealed that the various types of Community Based Organization in the area are Micro-finance institutions (MFIs), Village development committees (VDCs), Common interest groups (CIGs), Networks of CBOs, Landlord Association, Women Association, Youth Association, Farmers Organization and Trade union. Also, the Community Based Organization’s activities in the communities under study are only carried out on Weekly, Monthly and Yearly bases. The roles of Community Based Organization in the area under study are to Finance Projects, Liaison with Government, Promoting mutual understanding, Raising fund for project execution, planning of programmes, Economic empowerment, Cooperation with other organizations, protect the image of the community, trade union, support Security for Community and government projects, and harmonize and ensure unity among rural dwellers for effective Agricultural and rural growth. It was recommended that formal and specific organized steps should be taken by the government to develop the rural areas to curb the problem of rural underdevelopment.