Factors influencing role performance of community leaders in rural development activities in southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated crucial factors influencing role performance of community leaders in rural development activities (RDAs) in Southwestern Nigeria. A multi‑stage sampling procedure was used to select the respondents. Primary data were collected from 352 respondents using structure interview schedule while key informants were subjected to in‑depth interview. Appropriate descriptive statistical tools were used to summarise quantitative data while content analysis was used for qualitative data. Factor analysis was used to isolate crucial factors influencing role performance. The results showed that majority (78.7 % and 89.2 %) were male and married respectively with a mean age of 51.83 ± 8.91 years. Also, honesty (92.9 %) and individual contributions to RDAs (84.7 %) were the major criteria used for leadership emergence. Protecting the welfare of the community members (mean = 2.42) and community mobilization (mean = 2.28) were the major roles performed. Crucial factors found to be associated with role performance of community leaders in RDAs were household, socio‑economic status, bases of influence, institutional support among others. The study concluded that the identified factors were germane to role performance. It was therefore recommended that these identified factors should be considered in selecting people into leadership position to enhance formidable rural leadership structure and sustainable rural development.