Abstract

In Nigeria, rural areas are experiencing neglect in connection with the provision of infrastructural facilities despite all the efforts being made by all tiers of past government in the country. This study is aimed at assessing the relevance of infrastructural facilities to rural housing development as it applied to Lagelu Local Government in Oyo State. The specific objectives of the study among others, include; identification of various rural development strategies or programmes embarked upon by the local government; examine the socio-economic importance of rural development projects executed by the Lagelu Local Government, an assessment of the existing infrastructural facilities in the area among others.The study made use of both primary and secondary sources of information. Data were collected from households and local government officials of the study area which was centered on the rural development projects the various types of projects embarked upon, their stages of construction, mode of execution and associated problems. The descriptive statistical technique was used to analyze the information. The findings reveal inadequacy of infrastructural facilities, absence of economic empowerment programme, poor housing quality to mention a few. Therefore, appropriate sustainable measures should be put forward in order to improve infrastructural facilities coupled with relevant programmes of reducing poverty in Lagelu local government area.

Key words: Rural, housing, infrastructure, development and empowerment.