THE CITIZENS' PERCEPTION MODEL OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTONOMY: A FRAMEWORK FOR UNDERSTANDING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT EXPECTATIONS IN KOGI STATE

Abstract

This study examined the Citizens’ Perception Model of Local Government Autonomy: A Framework for Understanding Community Development Expectations in Nigeria. The study investigated how citizens’ perceptions of administrative autonomy, fiscal autonomy, public trust, citizen participation, and accountability influence community development expectations in Kogi State. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted, covering six Local Government Areas selected across the three senatorial districts of Kogi State: Dekina and Idah (Kogi East), Okene and Ajaokuta (Kogi Central), and Kabba/Bunu and Lokoja (Kogi West). A sample size of 400 respondents was selected through a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using frequency, mean, standard deviation, Pearson Product Moment Correlation, and multiple regression analysis. Findings revealed that respondents demonstrated high perceptions of administrative autonomy (Mean = 3.71, SD = 0.82) and fiscal autonomy (Mean = 3.58, SD = 0.86), while community development expectations recorded the highest mean score (Mean = 3.88, SD = 0.74). Correlation analysis showed significant positive relationships between perceived autonomy and community development expectations (r = 0.682, p < 0.05). The regression model indicated that perceived autonomy dimensions significantly predicted community development expectations, explaining 61% of the variation (R² = 0.610), with administrative autonomy emerging as the strongest predictor (β = 0.284, p < 0.05). This study concludes that effective local government autonomy requires not only institutional independence but also citizen trust, participation, and accountability mechanisms. The proposed Citizens’ Perception Model of Local Government Autonomy (CPMLGA) provides a framework for understanding how citizens evaluate autonomy and its implications for grassroots development in Nigeria.