Youth Participation and Social Equity in Local Development Planning: A Survey of Youth Perspectives in The Owerri Zone of Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Youth constitute a significant proportion of Nigeria’s population and represent a critical resource for advancing equitable and sustainable development. Despite policy frameworks such as the National youth policy and the African youth charter respectively, youth engagement in local development planning remains limited, particularly in rural and semi-urban contexts. This paper examined the extent and nature of youth participation in local development planning in the Owerri zone of Imo state, Nigeria, and its implications for promoting social equity. Guided by participatory governance and social equity theories, the research employed a descriptive survey design involving 900 youth respondents selected through cluster sampling technique across nine local government areas. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analysed using frequency count and percentages. Findings indicate that while youth demonstrate high willingness and capacity to contribute to development planning, their actual participation is constrained by political marginalization, inadequate institutional frameworks, and limited access to information. The paper concludes that meaningful youth engagement is essential for advancing social equity in local governance. It recommended strengthening participatory structures, mainstreaming youth in decision-making bodies, and implementing targeted capacity-building programmes to enhance their contributions to local development outcomes.