National development planning involves processes which ensure that policies and strategies are realized, and that development which cuts across all levels of government and society are fully integrated into nation-building. Nigeria has initiated many development programs and plans from the colonial to the postcolonial period. This review analyzes the contributions of the National Development Plans of 1960-1985 to rural development in Nigeria. It reasons that the National Development Plans did not bring about meaningful development to rural areas due to several factors including corruption and mismanagement, faulty planning from above rather than bottom-up approach, and pursuance of colonial and neocolonial dependent economic and social policies among others. To achieve rapid and sustained rural development, it recommends government to adopt a rural-based and bottom-up approach to development, especially in economic development. Rural areas which are major sources of Nigeria’s vast natural resources and home to half of national population should not be left with little of the wealth generated from the use and management of these resources. Hence, there is need for more budgetary allocation and socio-economic amenities for rural areas.