Rural And Urban Youth Participation In Community Development In Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

The focused on participation in community development activities, constraints to and benefits derived from participation. It compared rural and urban youth participation in community development activities in Ido local government area of Oyo State. Proportionate random sampling was used to select 2 rural, 1 urban communities, with 20 youths sampled from six youth organizations. Thus the study comprised 120 youths (80 rural, 40 urban). The data was analysed using frequency counts, percentages, chi-square and t-test. More urban youths (37.5%) participated in construction of roads than in rural areas (22.5%). Building of town halls was found to be higher in rural (30%) than in urban (20%). Most of the youths in rural areas (58.8%) attend meetings more than in urban areas (18.0%). More youths in rural areas participated in decision making (19%) than urban area (11%). Major constraints faced during participation in rural and urban areas respectively included lack of funds (51.3%; 40%) and lack of awareness (17.5%; 7.5%). However, marital status and level of participation were found to be significantly related. Benefits derived in both rural and urban areas showed no significant difference (t = 1.75, p = 0.08) while constraints encountered showed significant difference (t = 2.04, p = 0.04). 

Keywords: Youth, participation, benefit derived, community development.