This research investigates local government administration and rural development in Nigeria, particularly in Ogbadibo LGA, emphasizing the impact of various strategies by domestic and international entities on grassroots development. It concludes that despite numerous initiatives, significant challenges like corruption, mismanagement, and top-down approaches have hindered meaningful progress in rural areas. Recommendations include adopting a bottom-up approach, ensuring proper supervision of local government staff, and enhancing community involvement to foster sustainable development.

1. LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION & RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA: A case
study of Ogbadibo LGA in Benue state
ABSTRACT
This research examines local government administration and rural or community development in Nigeria
with emphasis on the institutions, agencies, policies and strategies employed to bring about the much
needed rural development in the country. It goes further to assess the impacts of the various efforts
made by both the domestic and foreign governments and international organizations, institutions,
agencies and non-governmental organizations to bring about real development at the grassroots level. In
the attempt to do this, clarification of concepts like development, rural areas, and rural development was
carried out, which formed the theoretical basis of the analysis. It was found out that efforts made by the
Nigerian government though several strategies like the nation’s development plans from colonial era to
date which were ex-rayed did not bring about meaningful development. Similarly international
organizations and regional strategies have not lead to any significant improvement in the living conditions
of the rural dwellers and rural development in general. It was also found out that a number of issues
such as corruption and mismanagement, faulty planning from above rather than bottom-up approach;
pursuance of the colonial and neo-colonial economic and social policies which were anti people among
other factors led to failure of the rural development efforts. The research therefore concludes among
other things that for rapid and sustained rural development to take place, the lopsided and urban based
development process must be reversed to rural based and bottom-up approach, government to continue
to create conducive environment for rural development to thrive, change of attitudes and orientation by
all and sundry, particularly the leadership class in Nigeria in order to minimize corruption and
mismanagement of resources. Therefore, for rural development to be realistic and enduring, these
measures should be given priority attention, especially at the implementation stages. . Consequent upon
these findings, the researcher among other recommended that: local government staff should be well
supervised, co-ordinated, motivated, screen occasionally and be encouraged for more performance, the
inhabitants and indigenes of the community should contribute their own quota and finally, local
government should be given political, financial and administrative autonomy.
TABLE OF CONTENT
Title page
Approval page
Dedication

2. Acknowledgement
Table of contents
Abstract
CHAPTER ONE: Introduction
1.1 Background of the study
1.2 Statement of the study
1.3 purpose of the study
1.4 Research questions
1.5 Research hypotheses
1.6 Significance of the study
1.7 Scope of the study
1.8 Limitations of the study
1.9 Definition of terms
References
CHAPTER TWO: Literature review
2.0 Literature review
2.1 Factors-militating against the effective performance of local government in Nigeria
2.2 Evolution of Inter-local government relations
2.3 Functions of Local Government
2.4 Theoretical framework
2.5 Institutions, Agencies & Strategies for Rural Development in Nigeria
2.6 An Assessment of the Rural Development Efforts in Nigeria
References
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND DESIGN
3.1 Research design ………………………………………..
3.2 Sources of data ………………………………………….
3.3 Population of the study ………………………………..
3.4 Determination of sample size and techniques…….

3. 3.5 Method of data collection ……………………………..
References
CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Analysis of data
4.3 Hypothesis testing
CHAPTER FIVE: Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation
5.1 Summary - - - - - - - - - -
5.2 Conclusion - - - - - - - - -
5.3 Recommendations - - - - - - - -
Bibliography -- - - - - - - - -
Appendix - - - - - - - - -
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Local government could be defined as a creation of the constitution of federal republic of
Nigeria. As a political sub-division of the nation or the administrative unit (federal system of
government) which is constituted by law and has substantial control of local affairs, including the
powers to impose taxes or to exact labour for prescribed purpose. More so, local government could
also be seen as the third tier of government known as a body corporate which is administered by
law within elected and appointed representative with a reasonable autonomy and can be sue and
sued.
Furthermore, the realities that local government has contributed in rural development in
Nigeria can therefore be dated back to the colonial era as what we today called local government
system. Beginning with the indirect rule, where the principle function were the administration of
justice through the native courts and the exploitation and expropriation of minerals from the hider

4. lands to the metropolis and the construction of the road to complement the above, local government
has transformed itself through various reforms.
In 1945, following entered of the Second World War, the British officials realizing that local
government can play an important role in developing Africa , a sense of community obligations and
social responsibility and providing a good ground for political education , the idea of democratizing
the local government system as a basis of social and economic development, came in hence the
objective of local government system government therefore defined, and various regional
government in Nigeria made various attempt to improve the means of attaining the new objectives
especially as from 1950 . Therefore in 1954, the British system of local government was actually
introduced in the North through the enactment of the native authority law and in the east in 1955
vide the local government law and in the west in 1957. These laws were concerned with the
restructuring of the local government system to meet the capacity of carrying out their roles in
community development (As cited in Okpata (2001).
This new role of propagating the development of the rural communities did not come into
effect until the 1960’s when twelve (12) states were created out of the three region (27th May
1967) . The system of local government then came to be known as development administration.
According to Okpata (2001) local government as a body corporate became modemized as the years
roll back especially in 1976, when a deliberate systematic re- organization was initiated by the
military administration of General Olusegun Obasanjo, thus led to the recognition of local
government as a third tier of government: More so, upon 1946, local government became a
veritable instrument of the National government for grass root development, because the reforms
established a uniform council in Nigeria.
Finally, according to Nwangwo (1991) one of the principle objectives of the Nigerian local
government reforms of 1976 was to bring about even and rapid development at the local level
throughout the country and to advance the course of rural development.
Lastly, the creation of Benue state in 1976 by Murtala Mohammed brought the existence of
Ogbadibo local government. It is peopled by Orokam, Owukpa and Otukpa. Its headquarters are in
the town of Otukpa Town. It has an area of 598 km² and a population of 128,707 at the 2006
census.

5. 1.2 Statement of Problem
Having known the historical background of local government in Nigeria and its objective to
bring rapid development and even development to the local level throughout the country
(community development). There are some problems that could be encountered in the process of
seeking for success in community development in Nigeria.
Improper funding is a problem to community development. The government grant which is
supposed to eliminate the problems is not very easy to secure. Bank credit facilities and capital are
very difficult to come by because of collateral security, which is often demanded by financial house.
The lack of fund has been responsible for the non – completion of most community development
programmes all over the state in particular and the country in general.
Improper coordination is also a problem to community development because most
communities are not well co-ordinate they lack administrative sense of operation with the acronym
“POSDCORB” which entails planning, organizing, directing, co -coordinating report, staffing and
budgeting. Due to lack of co-ordination, a lot of programmes and resources committed into the
community for the purpose of development have been wasted. The resources of any programme are
dependent on proper co-ordination of effort involved in the programme implementation.
Lack of trained and professional workers also affect the successful execution of community
development programme the presence of community development experts will help to ensure
success because the training which he/she acquired well enable him/her stimulate the community
members to be involved in the process of community development.
Problem of identifying needs is sometimes a big problem to most communities. A
bureaucrat handling federal or state grant appropriations cannot know the needs of tens of
thousands of communities across the state including that of Ogbadibo local government: One rural
community might need a highway work to attract business while another might need a new sewer
system, electricity or pipe borne water, so therefore, communities must identify their own needs and
request funds from the appropriate agencies.
Finally, political and religious differences has been responsible for the non-completion and
sometimes complete neglect of an on – going community programmes or projects, in Benue State.
For instance, we have many political parties like APGA, PDP, ANPP, AC, etc, most times communities
that voted mostly during election are the people that will benefit from the administration while other
communities that didn’t vote for the party or the person in power will not benefit from the

6. administration due to political differences. More so, religious difference also act is a problem in
community development.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The broad objective of this study is to find out the roles of Local Government in community
development in Ogbadibo local government.
The following are the specific objectives of this study.
1. To determine the impact of funding on community development.
2. To determine the impact of corruption on rural development in Nigeria.
3. To establish the use of trained and professional workers in community development as a tool for
a standard community development.
4. To ascertain the impact of local government autonomy on rural development in Nigeria.
1.4 Research Question
The following research questions, will guide the study:-
1. What impact does funding have on the development of rural areas in Nigeria?
2. To what extent does corruption affect rural development in Ogbadibo local government?
3. How does lack of trained and professional personnel affect the standardization of projects in
community development?
4. What impact will Local Government autonomy have on rural development in Nigeria?
1.5 Research Hypothesis
The following hypothesis will be to be tested in this work.
HYPOTHESIS 1

7. Ho: There is a significant impact of funding on rural development in Nigeria
H1: There is no significant impact of funding on rural development in Nigeria
HYPOTHESIS 2
HO : There is a significant impact of corruption on rural development in Nigeria
H1: There is no significant impact of corruption on rural development in Nigeria
HYPOTHESIS 3
HO : There is a significant impact of trained and professional personnel on the standardization of
projects in rural development
H1: There is no significant impact of trained and professional personnel on the standardization of
projects in rural development
HYPOTHESIS 4
HO : There is a significant impact of local government autonomy on rural development in Nigeria.
H1: There is no significant impact of local government autonomy on rural development in Nigeria.
1.6 Significance of Study
Somehow, most communities in Ogbadibo local government seem to be lagging behind in
community development because of the above mentioned problems. As such, this study will be of
benefit to many people.
This work is expected to assist our policy makers who have taken it upon themselves to sensitize the
rural dwellers in Ogbadibo local government. This is because through the finding of this work, they
would then appreciate the importance of identifying the needs of the communities before embarking
on any project in a community.

8. This work will serve as an additional knowledge to the researcher, in order to learn more about the
roles of local government in community development. It is significant not only as a guide to
improvement but also as a source for enhancing progress in community development. The research
work will also be beneficial to students of public administration and political science for more
knowledge about the roles of local government in community development.
1.7 Scope of Study
The study is limited to finding out the roles of local government administration on rural development
in Ogbadibo local government area since its inception in Benue State when it was created till date.
The research also covered the whole communities in Ogbadibo local government Area with the total
population of 128, 707 people. The study also focuses on the social, political and economical roles of
local government in community development in Ogbadibo local government area from 1989 till
2014. In doing this, particular attention is to be paid on the impact of developmental programmes in
the different communities of Ogbadibo local government.
1.8 Limitations of the Study
In an attempt to make this work an interesting and comprehensive one, the researcher encountered
some hindrances. The following were the hindrance that i encountered in the process of making
this work a quality research work:-
1. Low co-operation from respondents and reluctance of staff and management of Ogbadibo
local government and Benue state local government service commission to release relevant data
required for the study.
2. Most of the respondents interviewed and administered with the questionnaires where
illiterates and semi-illustrates and they saw the exercise as a means of collecting information for tax
assessment.
3. Lack of material and relevant literature also limited the quality of this research work.
4. Inadequate finance to move round the whole villages and houses in the LGA
1.9 Definition of terms

9. The following terms will be explained in the course of research in order to clarify it.
1. Local Government Policy: This involves decision making apparatus that is being used by
Local Government in the administration and implementation of its community development
projects or plans as appropriate.
2. Community Development: This is a form of development that is restricted to a defined
community /rural areas, planned and executed separately or jointly between government
officials and the rural/community people.
3. Local Government: This is the system of administration of districts by selected
representatives of the people who live there. In Nigeria, this is the third tier of government
with the ultimate aim of enhancing the development of the rural communities.
4. Rural Areas: These are local government areas that are lacking in many infrastructural
amenities like electricity, pipe-borne water, roads and telecommunications, health facilities,
educational structures etc.
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