Abstract:
The study investigates the impact of the Community Development Initiative (3i’s initiative) on
wealth creation among rural households in Ondo State, Nigeria. The 3i’s initiative, focusing on
Infrastructure, Institution, and Industry, aims to engage local communities in sustainable
development projects. Using a community-driven development approach, the initiative ensures
active participation from rural inhabitants in identifying and prioritizing their needs. Data were
collected through structured questionnaires and interviews across 12 communities within the
state. Key findings reveal that infrastructural projects, such as water facilities and health centers,
significantly enhance community wealth by reducing health expenses and saving time. Training
programmes improve local capacity in project management and record-keeping, fostering a sense
of ownership and accountability. However, the establishment of industries under the initiative
has been limited, affecting the potential for large-scale economic transformation. Overall, the
3i’s initiative shows a moderate to high positive impact on community wealth, suggesting the
necessity for continuous support and scaling of such development programmes to bridge the
urban-rural economic gap effectively. The study recommends that there should be a synergy
between government and community collaboration to ensure the sustainability and scalability of
development projects in rural Nigeria.
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