The Benefits of Community Engagement for Integrated Community Development in Nigeria

Abstract

Integrated community development since its emergence has served as a conceptual procedure utilized in tackling the underdevelopment of communities. Although community development programmes appear to be the most acceptable means for grassroots development due to its holistic and comprehensive framework there are gaps between programmes planner, implementers and the community people in Nigeria. These reoccurring gaps emanate from not involving stakeholders of the community in the development programme a fit which community engagement entails. The paper made use of secondary source of information to conceptualize community, community engagement and integrated community development. The paper also examined community engagement as a pertinent tool for integrated community development. It discusses fostering partnership, improved decision-making, community-led initiative and social connection as benefits of community engagement for community development in Nigeria. It recommends that enabling environment through community engagement that will improve community development programmes in Nigeria should be provided so as to facilitate active participation in every integrated community development activity.