ABSTRACT

The study was carried out in Old Akpabuyo Local Government Area which comprises of Bakassi Local Government Area and New Akpabuyo Local Government Area in Cross River State. The Study assessed the participation of youths in community development projects in the area. The objectives of the study were to identify the personal and socio – economic characteristics of the youths in the study area; identify the types of rural development projects that youths were involved in the study area; assess the extent to participation of youths in rural development projects in the study area, ascertain the perception of youths towards rural development projects in the study area, and to ascertain the constraints the youths encounter in rural development projects in the study area. Youths between the ages of 15 and 35 were randomly selected from 12 rural towns and 2 villages each were purposively selected from the villages. Data were collected with structured questionnaire and were analysed using descriptive statistics, and 3 and 4 likert-type scale. 5 respondents were randomly selected from each of the 24 villages given a total of 120.  The study revealed that youths that are single participated fully in rural development (65.83%). Development activities mostly found was maternity centres (52%). The major rural development activity which youths participate in was transportation (64.7%). The perception of youths towards rural development was that it empowers rural people (29.17%). Major constraint was lack of capacity building for youths (50.83%). It was recommended that government and NGO’s should build the capacity of the youths and empower them to participate in rural development activities.