State, Community And Local Development In Nigeria

State, Community And Local Development In Nigeria - Paul Francis

This study presents the results of consultative surveys examining local organizations in 36 rural and urban communities across Nigeria. A plethora of local associations and institutions were found to be active, including traditional and kinship institutions, community associations, occupational associations, cooperatives, women's groups, immigrant welfare associations and religious organizations. These community-based organizations, which have widely differing missions and principles of organization, have been responsible for considerable local development achievements. Government programs, in contrast, were found to be affected by severe budgetary, management and governance problems to the point of incapacitation. Delivery systems suffered from serious implementation problems, resulting in facilities being uncompleted, broken down, unstaffed, or without equipment. The effectiveness and accountability of community-based organizations is seen to be due in part to local decision-making and participation. The social factors which determine the relative performance of these organizations are considered, including the relative prosperity of the community, its social homogeneity, and a leadership capable of mediating between the community and government agencies. The practical and operational implications of the study's findings center on the need to develop synergy between state and community by means of measures to increase the capacity of community institutions, and to promote a more responsive and accountable public service. Social and institutional analysis is advocated as an integral part of project design and economic and sector work.