LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTONOMY AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN ORLU LGA, IMO STATE, NIGERIA (2020–2024)

This study examined Local government autonomy and rural development in Orlu LGA, Imo State. The researcher used structural functional theory as the framework of analysis. Descriptive survey was applied and data were collected through primary source (questionnaire). Data analysis was done using percentage, mean and Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMCC) at 0.05 level of significance with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 21.0). The researcher discovered that there is significant relationship between financial autonomy and rural road maintenance in Orlu LGA, Imo State, administrative autonomy influence primary health care development in Orlu LGA, Imo State and there is significant relationship between political autonomy and rural security in Orlu LGA, Imo. Based on the forgoing, this study concludes that the achievement of rural development as it concerns road maintenance, security, and health care services depends on the extent the local governments enjoys autonomy in finance, administration, and political aspects. It was recommended that financial autonomy for local governments: the local governments should receive direct allocation from the federation account so as to achieve rural road maintenance.