FROM CDL TO CDP: A RIGHTS-BASED, SUSTAINABLE FRAMEWORK FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Community development is the cornerstone of national progress. Traditionally, many communities fund such development through Community Development Levies (CDL). While intended to fund public goods, levy-based models raise serious concerns about equity, transparency, elite capture, and sustainability. Using the doctrinal research approach, this paper examines the legality, equity, and effectiveness of Nigeria’s community-financing practice of CDL against the contemporary, rights-based understanding of development and sustainability. It explores the meaning of development in terms of sustainability whilst also drawing insights from what is obtainable in some selected jurisdictions. Findings reveal CDL is normatively weak and administratively fragile, whereas contract and trust-based CDP models better align with sustainable development and rights-based governance. It concludes that a CDP-anchored framework grounded in equity, inclusivity, and long-term stewardship offers a more lawful, legitimate, and sustainable route to community development in Nigeria.