Objectives and Challenges of Rural Development in Nigeria: A Study of Okigwe LGA, Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This work focused on rural development in Nigeria: objectives and challenges. The work was carried out to identify the major hindrances to development and the solution to the problems. The researcher used the 22 communities in Okigwe LGA Imo State. The work was anchored on structural functional theory. Survey research design was used and questionnaire served as the instrument for data collection. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using percentages. The findings revealed that there is significant impact of neglect/ political marginalization on rural development in Imo State; inadequate community participation has contributed to poor rural development in Imo State; and there is significant relationship between lack of basic amenities and rural development in Imo State. The study concludes that the government can improve the standard of living in the rural communities through rural development. It was recommended that the rural community people should be involved in making and implementing rural development policies. Also, both federal, state and local governments should effectively implement rural development projects.