Community engagement and participatory leadership are critical to sustainable development. However, collective decision-making that fosters inclusiveness and cohesion in these approaches is inadequately considered in many developing countries. Against this background, this paper explored the perception and experience of Abuja residents concerning the place of community engagement and participatory leadership in sustainable development. Six Focus Group Discussions were conducted in different communities around Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, and thematic analysis was employed to identify patterns, themes, and variations in participants’ responses. Using Putnam’s social capital theory, this paper argues that the absence of participatory leadership that promotes community engagement is at the centre of Nigeria’s sustainable development crisis. Based on the findings, this study recommends a widespread adoption of community engagement and participatory leadership that use the mechanisms of town hall meetings, community surveys, and participatory budgeting as a panacea for sustainable development. For sustained participation of community members in development initiatives, it recommends that security, trust and accountability should be prioritised