Good Governance, Empowerment and Rural Development in Nigeria: A Study of the Nexus

Abstract

The arguments in contemporary political discourse point to the fact that sustainable rural development is predetermined by the enthronement of good governance and subscription to democratic values such as accountability and transparency. In addition to these therefore, studies have shown that sustenance of effective participation of the people at the grass root level where majority of Nigerians live has also constitute another major prerequisite of rural development. And for people to participate actively and effectively in governmental process that leads to development, we have argued for the need for their empowerment and emancipation. To this end therefore, the thrust of this paper is an examination of the nexus between good governance and empowerment towards ensuring a sustainable rural development.