<p>Several factors, including poor infrastructure, environmental degradation, and economic disparities, impede efforts aimed at sustainable development in Nigeria. Suboptimal achievements of development initiatives in Nigeria result from top-down approaches, which often ignore the experiences and cultural backgrounds of local communities. This paper argues that community engagement and community buy-in are essential to achieving sustainable development. Drawing on existing literature, the paper explores how community participation ensures that development initiatives are culturally relevant, context-appropriate, and sustainable. The paper draws case studies from agriculture, education, health care, and environmental sustainability to demonstrate the importance of local ownership to the long-term success of developmental projects. Our synthesis highlights three major barriers undermining community participation in Nigeria: cultural constraints, institutional weaknesses, and capacity gaps. We also identify four core strategies crucial for improving community buy-in: trust-building through transparent communication, inclusive decision-making, community capacity strengthening, and inter-sectoral collaboration. The paper calls on policymakers, NGOs, and development agencies to appreciate community-led approaches, prioritise local capacity building, and create platforms for inclusive decision-making. For Nigeria to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting participatory governance that empowers community members in the decision-making process is imperative. This ensures that development efforts become both effective and sustainable.</p>