Grassroots Empowerment: Assessing Community-Based Organizations and Sustainable Rural Development in Akure-South, Ondo State - Nigeria

Abstract

This study critically examines the influence of Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) on the sustainable development of rural communities within the Akure-South Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria. This research aimed to evaluate the structure, functions, and challenges of CBOs operating in the study area, as well as their overall contributions to community transformation. The study was guided by four specific research questions and employed a descriptive survey design to elicit both quantitative and qualitative insights. The population comprised all residents of communities under Akure-South Local Government, from which a representative sample of two hundred (200) respondents was selected. Data were gathered through a structured instrument titled “Questionnaire on the Role of CBOs in the Development of Rural Communities in Akure-South Local Government, Ondo State.” Instrument validity was established through expert review, and reliability was confirmed using the test–retest approach, producing a coefficient of 0.87 via the Pearson Product Moment Correlation method. Data analysis involved frequency counts, simple percentages, and mean scores. Findings revealed a broad typology of CBOs active in the study area, including microfinance institutions, village development committees, common interest groups, networks of CBOs, landlords’ associations, women’s and youth associations, farmers’ cooperatives, and trade unions. Their operational activities typically occur on a weekly, monthly, or annual basis, reflecting the varying rhythms of community engagement. Despite their developmental relevance, CBOs face critical challenges such as limited financial resources, insufficient manpower, restrictive government policies, poor administrative capacity, inadequate inter-organizational collaboration, and weak leadership dynamics. The study concludes that while CBOs serve as vital mechanisms for grassroots empowerment and rural development, their potential impact remains underutilized due to systemic and organizational barriers. It recommends an integrated development framework that strengthens partnerships between government agencies and community structures, promotes capacity building, and enhances financial and institutional sustainability. Furthermore, future research should interrogate the complementarities and divergences between government-driven and community-initiated projects to expand the development frontiers accessible to rural dwellers.