Stakeholders and policy experts are calling for the immediate and full operationalization of local government autonomy, citing it as the single most critical factor for accelerating Nigeria’s national development and eliminating grassroots poverty.
Despite the landmark Supreme Court judgment affirming the financial independence of the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs), experts warn that the “stranglehold” maintained by various state governments continues to stifle growth. For decades, the local government tier—intended to be the closest level of governance to the people—has been rendered largely “voiceless and powerless,” serving as little more than an extension of state governors’ offices.
The Case for Autonomy The push for full administrative and financial independence is built on three critical pillars:
Grassroots Infrastructure: Direct funding is essential to bridge the massive gap in basic amenities, including rural roads, pipe-borne water, primary healthcare facilities, and agricultural support systems.
Security and Stability: Strengthening local governance allows for localized security initiatives that can nip threats in the bud before they escalate into national crises.
Economic Empowerment: Autonomy enables local councils to act as springboards for development, creating jobs and fostering local initiatives that discourage rural-to-urban migration.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring the Supreme Court’s verdict is not just a legal victory but a practical reality. Currently, while the Federal Government receives 52.68% of the revenue share, the 20.6% allocated to local governments often fails to reach its destination due to the interference of State-Local Government Joint Accounts.
“Politics is local period, “Everywhere democracy has thrived, it is because local governments are autonomous and fully operational across the executive, legislative, and judicial arms.”
The Road Ahead To achieve a truly functional federation, the following steps are urged:
Constitutional Reinforcement: Explicitly recognizing LGAs as a distinct level of government to protect them from arbitrary state interference.
Citizen Engagement: Encouraging Nigerians to demand accountability directly from their local chairmen and councillors.
Fiscal Transparency: Eliminating “joint accounts” to ensure that federal allocations are utilized exclusively for community-based projects.
The path to a prosperous Nigeria begins in the hinterlands. By liberating the third tier of government, the nation can finally unlock the potential of its rural economy and ensure that the dividends of democracy reach every citizen.
