The role of community self help projects in rural development of Kwara state, Nigeria

• Main Authors: Ogunleye-Adetona, C.I., Oladeinde, C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: International Society for Development and Sustainability (ISDS) 2013-03-01
• Series: International Journal of Development and Sustainability
• Subjects: Self-help; Community development; Rural development
• Online Access: http://isdsnet.com/ijds-v2n1-3.pdf

This study attempt to examine the impact of self-help projects in rural development using Irepodun Local Government Area as a case study, Kwara State, Nigeria. A sample of 200 respondents was interviewed through the use of questionnaire format. In the course of the study, it was revealed that income encouraged the people to embark on self help projects. Community unions / association contributed immensely in the execution of self help projects and the subsequent rural development. The Chi-square and correlation results, concluded that the inhabitants of the area are not equally satisfied with self help projects and amenities and that there is a relationship between population and self help projects and also that self help projects has increased the standard of living of the people in the area. There is an unequal distribution of self help projects in the study area. And since the level and efficiency of self help projects on rural communities normally influence the development of the rural areas, governments should therefore redirect its rural development towards capital and developmental projects in rural areas and make population be the focus for all communities in the rural areas. This will ensure an equitable distribution of self help projects an essential tool for balanced socio-economic development of the rural areas especially in Nigeria.