Report and Opinion 2010;2(7) 24 A Correlation of Natural Resource Management and Level of Development in Developing Countries. : A Case of Nigeria. I.I. Echeme. 1 , E.C. Ubani 2 1. Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Project Management Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri. Nigeria, 234-8032403835. ibeecheme@yahoo.com 2. Head Of Department, Project Management Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria; 234-8037748978. Abstract: Natural resources in most developing countries need sound management for the proper development of the rural areas towards national development. The realization that more needs to be done to translate the potential benefits of natural resources into broad-based socio-economic development of the developing nations motivated this study. Despite this realization, the necessary policies and concrete actions are not integrated at present. Indeed, natural resources constitute the base for the infrastructure and energy needs of society, the industrial sector, urban development and social well being of the people. However, these contributions are contingent on the fulfillment of critical conditions, chiefly, improving governance and transparency, and eliminating corruption. This paper using various sampled data from government officials, organized private sectors, donor agencies and rural dwellers examines the correlation between natural resources management and rural development in Africa using Nigeria as a case. The data acquired were analyzed using scores percentage comparison and explanatory notes coupled with the spearman’s rank order correlation coefficient ( s) and the t – test. Findings Revealed that despite the strong link between natural resource management and rural development, its exploitations are yet to impact positively on the socio-economic and infrastructural needs of the people. The paper concludes with recommendations geared toward effective management of natural resources for the effective development of the rural areas of the developing nations. [Report and Opinion 2010;2(7):24-34]. (ISSN: 1553-9873). Keywords: Natural resource; exploitation; management; development; Socio-economic wellbeing; developing countries. 1. Introduction The importance of natural resources in the development process cannot be over-emphasized. These resources have become more important than ever before as the poor developing country seek additional sources of development financing in order to progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGS). Even so, the fact remains that most developing countries have failed to tap the potential for its natural resources wealth to serve as a driver for industrialization, economic growth, poverty reduction and sustainable development. Indeed, Nigeria and most other developing nations are rich in natural resources, but this has not always been a blessing. This has become a persistent challenge for sustainable development and natural resources management in the developing countries. These countries are endowed with natural resources, which they need for their own development, but which other countries also want. Furthermore, researches have shown that the several decades of resource exploitation of these countries have not translated into economic growth or improve the livelihoods and welfare of their growing population. Records of poor management of these natural resources have been a recurring theme in recent debates on the “natural resource curse”. Although natural resource wealth contributes to economic development in some resource-rich countries due to effective management, the story is different in Nigeria and most developing countries. Over the years, the exploitation of natural resources has been pursued without adequate regard for its impact on sustainable development. This has resulted in unacceptable levels of environmental degradation. The unsustainable natural resource use pattern is made more precarious by the fact that majority of the poor of our society depend on natural resources for their livelihood (Okonkwo, 2007).