LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN SURU LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF KEBBI STATE

This study examined the challenges of community development and the effectiveness of local government administration in Sürü Local Government Area (LGA), Kebbi State, Nigeria, between 2015 and 2024., the research emphasized the interdependence of administrative structures and community stakeholders in fostering sustainable development. Data were collected from 365 participants, including government officials, traditional leaders, and community members, using structured questionnaires. A total of 314 valid responses (86%) were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression. The findings revealed that administrative effectiveness, development project implementation, and community participation had statistically significant positive impacts on community development. In contrast, structural challenges such as inadequate funding, political interference, and poor supervision had significant negative effects. The model explained approximately 37.9% of the variation in development outcomes (R² = 0.379; F-statistic = 47.18; p < 0.001), which was statistically significant, confirming the joint influence of these variables. The study concludes that effective governance, inclusive participation, and strategic project implementation are essential for grassroots development. Policy recommendations include strengthening administrative capacity, improving project funding and monitoring, promoting community engagement, and adopting a long-term development plan. These measures are crucial for enhancing socio-economic progress in Sürü LGA.