Sustainable Rural Development in Nigeria Issues and Facts (Sharing Initiative of Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited)

Nigeria is blessed with natural resources especially hydrocarbons. Managing proceeds of resources to develop rural communities had created several conflicts. International communities had long been contributing to development in Nigeria. International NGOs, Bilateral organizations, Multinational corporations have demonstrated sufficient interest in development issues of Nigeria. Surprisingly, more assistance in Nigeria means higher poverty and conflict levels. The population is at geometrical increase without corresponding increase in social amenities. Known cities are congested due to high rural-urban migration. Most Nigerians who could no longer bear the congestion associated discomforts had either legally migrated to developed countries or sought asylum. Frequently asked questions included “what had happened to resources generated from oil and gas productions, what of the aid programmes of international organizations and the rural development initiatives of the multinational oil and gas industries. How come most communities are still very rural and basic amenities lacking”? To address above questions, Fresh Development Rural Development Initiative, a Non Governmental Organization decided to x-ray challenges, issues and facts against sustainable rural development in Nigeria. Of particular concern was the participation of multinational oil and gas industries in rural development in Nigeria with a view to sharing any best practice. Methodology adopted was social research using Participatory Rural Appraisal, Rapid Rural Appraisal and Participatory Learning and Action. Sampling techniques were purposive, random. Data collection tools included Interviews, Focused group discussions and Practitioner’s experience. Summarily, results pointed to mismanagement of project funds, low execution capacity, lack of political will, insecurity and insincerity on the part of project beneficiaries (the rural people). Equal accusing fingers were pointed to beneficiaries and Nigerian governance system. Rural development project funds were embezzled while strategies employed created conflicts among rural communities. Suggested ways forward for conflict free sustainable rural development included organization of national rural development strategy summit, de-emphasizing contractocrazy, execution capacity development, realistic costing and improved monitoring