ASSESSMENT OF RURAL YOUTH INVOLVEMENT IN COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN EKITI STATE, NIGERIA
Publication Type: Journal Article.
Publication Year: 2026
Author(s): Adewumi, Oluranti T., Ajala, Abiodun O., Atoun, Adedayo O., Shitu, Adenipekun G., Ogunjobi, Olanrewaju P., and Ologunagba, Olubunmi
Journal Name: (IJAEMD)
ABSTRACT
This study assessed rural youth involvement in community infrastructural development in Ekiti State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 182 rural youths from ten rural communities across five Local Government Areas in Ekiti State. Primary data were collected using a structured interview schedule. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, including frequency counts, percentages, and means, while inferential statistics, including Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) and Chi-square, were used to test the hypothesis. The findings revealed that 50.0% of respondents were aged 18–30 years, 65.4% were male, and 51.6% were married. Furthermore, 61.0% were non -members of cooperative societies, and 38.5% had lived in their communities for 11–20 years. Community infrastructure was generally available, with town halls (95.1%), solar streetlights (94.0%), classrooms (90.7%), and health facilities (90.1%) recording the highest availability. Youth involvement was highest in project supervision (mean = 3.41), mobilization of funds (3.39), and contribution of time and labour (3.19), but relatively low in project planning (2.66), purchase of inputs (2.62), site identification (2.60), and donation of cash (2.41). Youth involvement is significantly related to age, household size, sex (χ² = 10.3; P = 0.006), and employment status (χ² = 17.0; P = 0.002). The study concludes that youth participation exists but is predominantly functional rather than transformative. It recommends that Community development associations, local government authorities, and other development stakeholders ensure that rural youth are adequately represented on community development committees.
Keywords: Rural youth; Community infrastructural development; Youth involvement; Community participation