The Role of Traditional Ruler's in Community Development. a Case Study of Sabon Gari Local Government

Abstract This study investigated the role of traditional rulers in community development within Sabon Gari Local Government. Employing a quantitative survey research design, data were collected from a sample of 120 respondents through a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire aimed to elicit responses concerning the historical and contemporary roles of traditional rulers, their engagement in community development initiatives, and the obstacles they encountered in effective participation. The collected data underwent analysis using SPSS27, with statistical techniques such as t-tests utilized to assess the hypotheses formulated based on the research questions. The findings of the study revealed significant historical and contemporary contributions of traditional rulers to community development in Sabon Gari Local Government. Traditional rulers were found to have played pivotal roles in promoting social cohesion, fostering economic development, and enhancing infrastructure and basic amenities within the community. However, they also faced various challenges, including limited resources and funding, bureaucratic hurdles imposed by government authorities, and resistance from certain community members. Despite these challenges, the study concluded that traditional rulers remained essential agents of change in community development efforts, and their involvement remained crucial for promoting sustainable development and social well-being in Sabon Gari Local Government. Based on the findings, several recommendations were proposed to enhance the effectiveness of traditional rulers in community development initiatives. These recommendations included advocating for government support to provide adequate resources and funding to traditional institutions, streamlining bureaucratic processes to enable greater autonomy for traditional rulers, and fostering partnerships between traditional leaders, government agencies, and community stakeholders to leverage collective efforts for development. Additionally, capacity-building initiatives aimed at empowering traditional rulers with the necessary skills and knowledge in governance and development planning were suggested to enhance their effectiveness in addressing community needs and challenges. Overall, the study underscored the importance of recognizing and leveraging the role of traditional rulers in grassroots development efforts, advocating for their inclusion in policy frameworks, and promoting collaborative approaches to community development that harness the strengths of both traditional and modern governance structures.