Local Government Autonomy refers to the degree of independence and self-governance accorded to local government areas (LGAs) in the country.
This post looks at Local Government Autonomy in Nigeria, how it has fared in a federal system with much concentration of power at the federal level; undue interference on local government, making it largely dependent on states and federal, thereby rendering it ineffective in its functions.
Historically, local governments in Nigeria were created to bring governance closer to the grassroots and facilitate effective service delivery to local communities.
However, over the years, the autonomy of LGAs has been eroded by the centralization of power at the federal level, leading to a situation where local governments are majorly dependent on the state and federal governments for their functioning.
In response to this, there have been various efforts to grant more autonomy to LGAs in Nigeria. One such effort is the Financial Autonomy for Local Governments Act, which was signed into law in 2018. This act provides for the direct payment of funds due to LGAs from the federation account and the establishment of a joint state and local government account, among other provisions.
Despite this, however, there are still challenges to local government autonomy in Nigeria.
Some state governments have been accused of interfering in the affairs of LGAs, including the appointment and removal of elected officials, the diversion of funds meant for local governments and the withholding of allocations due to them.
There have also been calls for a review of the current revenue-sharing formula, which many believe unfairly favours the federal and state governments at the expense of LGAs.
How Can We Have A True Local Government Autonomy In Nigeria?
Achieving true local government autonomy in Nigeria requires a multi-faceted approach that involves a range of stakeholders, including the federal government, state governments, local government officials, civil society organizations and citizens.
Here are some key steps that could help to promote local government autonomy in Nigeria:
- Strengthen legal frameworks: The laws that govern local government in Nigeria need to be strengthened to ensure that they provide a clear mandate for LGAs to operate independently and free from undue interference. This could include revising the Constitution, Local Government Laws and the Fiscal Responsibility Act to clearly define the roles, responsibilities and powers of LGAs, including the direct allocation of funds from the federation account to LGAs.
- Enhance fiscal autonomy: Financial autonomy is crucial for local governments to operate effectively. To enhance the financial autonomy of LGAs, the federal and state governments need to ensure that they promptly and directly allocate funds due to LGAs, rather than withholding or diverting these funds.
- Professionalize the Local Government system: There is a need to professionalize the local government system in Nigeria to ensure that it is staffed with competent and experienced personnel who can manage local government affairs effectively.
- Promote citizen engagement: Citizens should be encouraged to actively participate in local government affairs by engaging with their elected officials, attending council meetings, and holding them accountable. This could be facilitated through the establishment of effective mechanisms for citizen participation, including public hearings, town hall meetings and online platforms.
- Address political interference: The federal and state governments should take concrete steps to address political interference in local government affairs, including the appointment and removal of elected officials and the withholding of funds meant for LGAs.
In conclusion, achieving true local government autonomy in Nigeria will require sustained efforts from all stakeholders, including the federal and state governments, local government officials, civil society organizations, and citizens. The implementation of the above steps, along with other reforms, could help to promote local government autonomy and enhance service delivery at the grassroots level.