DOI: 10.36347/sjahss.2013.v01i02.002

Pages: 55-61

This study examines the influence of local leaders on community decision making in Ajaawa community in Ogo-Oluwa Local government of Oyo state. Data were collected from sixty respondents who are male and female leaders using structuredinterview schedule which was validated and pre-tested. Finding reveals that the mean age of respondent is 53 years; 80% are male while 20% are female. About 58% influence decisions made on some community project like town hall, postal agency, palace and market. Overall, their influence was either for (87.1%) or against (12.9%) these projects. About 67.5% encourage people to support the decision to embark on such projects; about 10.9% discourage people while 21.7% only gave their consent but made no direct contribution to influence members of the community. The main strategy employed for executing the projects were through launching, self labour and levies.Chi square analysis revealed a significant relationship between involvement/support for the project and gender (town hall, market), level of education (postal agencies, market), occupation (postal agencies), and marital status (palace).