Abstract:

Despite the huge revenue that accrues to the local government areas in Nigeria, rural areas are still faced with challenges of development. This study examined the role of Local Government in Rural Development in Lafia Local Government Area over a period of 2015 to 2019. The study utilized both primary and secondary methods of data collection. The structured questionnaire was designed and distributed to ten (10) selected communities within lafia Local Government Area. A four points likerts scale was used to determine the responses of the respondents and the chi-square was also used to test the hypothesis. The findings of the study reveal that Lafia local government enhances rural development through provision of social amenities to the locality. The study further revealed that past policies and programmes of the government have improved the quality of lives of rural dwellers in the local government. The study therefore recommended that autonomy should be granted to local government in order to enhance its performance, revenue base of the local government should be diversified and the revenue allocation formula to local governments be reviewed upward.