ABSTRACT

The sustainability of any community project relies on the active participation of its members. This study assessed the effectiveness of community development as a strategy for sustainable development in Southwestern Nigeria, addressing gaps in the literature by examining community development's impact on educational progress, crime prevention and control, primary healthcare delivery, and economic growth. The research was guided by communicative planning theory and employed a survey research design. The study population consisted of 46,706,662 people across the six states. A multistage sampling method was used to select the survey samples. Out of the 137 local government areas (LGAs) in the region, 23% were conveniently selected from the 18 senatorial districts, considering the population of the selected LGAs per district. A total of 9,216 community members were randomly chosen from the 31 LGAs. Closed-ended questionnaires were distributed to the selected participants, with 84.8% of them duly filled and returned. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive and inferential methods. Empirical results showed that community development strategies significantly and positively influence sustainable development in Southwestern Nigeria (F=384.516, p-value<0.05), with contributions from educational development (F=55.971, p-value<0.05), crime prevention and control (F=18.237, p-value<0.05), primary healthcare delivery (F=14.439, p-value<0.05), and economic development promotion (F=1.642, p-value<0.05). The study concluded that development ineffectiveness is due to the lack of application of community development principles. It recommended involving primary beneficiaries at all levels of development projects to foster collaboration between development agencies and the community, thus ensuring better utilization of these projects.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Contents Page

Title Page i

Certification ii

Dedication iii

Acknowledgement iv

Abstract vi

Table of Contents vii

List of Tables x

List of Figures xi

List of Acronyms xii

Chapter One: Introduction

1.1 Background to the Study 1

1.2 Statement of the Problem 7

1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study 8

1.4 Research Questions 8

1.5 Hypotheses 9

1.6 Significance of the Study 10

1.7 Scope of the Study 11

1.8 Limitation of the Study 11 vii

1.9 Operational Definition of Terms 12

Endnotes 14

Chapter Two: Literature Review

2.1 Conceptual Review 16

2.2 Theoretical Framework 51

2.2.1 Social Capital theory 51

2.2.2 Communicative Planning Theory 56

2. 2.3 Symbolic Interactionism 59

2.2.4 Empowerment Theory 62

2.3 Review of Empirical Studies 67

2.4 Conceptual Framework 115

2.5 Summary of Gaps in Literature Reviewed 115

Endnotes 117

Chapter Three: Methodology

3.1 Research Design 133

3.2 Population of the Study 134

3.3 Sampling Techniques and Sample Size 135

3.4 Description of the Research Instruments 138

3.5 Validity of the Research Instruments 138

3.6 Reliability of the Research Instruments 138

3.7 Administration and Method of Data Collection 139

3.8 Method of Data Analysis 139

Endnotes 145

Chapter Four: Results and Discussion of Findings

4.1 Demographic Data Analysis 147

4.2 Analysis of Research Questions 152

4.3 Presentation of Hypotheses 175

4.4 Interpretation of Findings 183

4.5 Discussion of Findings 189

Endnotes 192

Chapter Five: Conclusion

5.1 Summary of the Findings 193

5.2 Conclusion 194

5.3 Recommendation 195

5.4 Contribution to Knowledge 196

5.5 Area for Further Studies 196

Bibliography 198

Appendix 1 213

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AS A STRATEGY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

(A CASE STUDY OF SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA)

Presented To

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