The Supreme Court ruling granting full financial autonomy to local government areas (LGAs) in Nigeria came as a pleasant surprise to many, earning commendation for President Bola Tinubu’s administration. A major implication of the judgment was that council allocations were to be received directly from the Federation Account, bypassing state governments.
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The expectation was that such autonomy would translate into visible grassroots development. However, findings across the country reveal a mixed reality: while some local government chairmen confirm they now receive allocations directly, others either deny it, evade questions for fear of their governors, or report that little has changed in practice.
Despite the ruling, investigations show that governors still exercise firm control over LGA funds, rendering the much-anticipated autonomy a mirage in many states. In several cases, council chairmen reportedly receive only between ₦10 million and ₦70 million monthly often limited to staff salaries and security voteswhile other expenditures remain under the control of state commissioners for local government.
Some states, including Anambra and Lagos, have even enacted laws mandating councils to remit portions of their allocations back to the state. At the federal level, critics argue that Abuja has not demonstrated sufficient political will to enforce the ruling, having set and missed multiple deadlines for its implementation.
Anambra:
Council chairmen claim autonomy has enabled them to undertake development projects such as school renovations, road grading, and primary healthcare delivery. Dr. Chibuike Oforbuike, ALGON Chairman in Anambra, praised Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration, saying the state now enjoys “a very robust and result-oriented” local government system.
Oyo:
Officials confirm that joint accounts have been abolished, and councils now receive direct allocations. However, deductions for teachers’ salaries, Amotekun security, and state-coordinated projects are made from the funds before councils can access them. Some chairmen admitted they would prefer true independence but fear suspension by the state assembly.
Imo:
Despite monthly federal allocations, most councils show little development. Investigations revealed that of an average ₦300.8 million allocation, councils receive only about ₦70 million barely enough for salaries. Many council chairmen reside in the state capital rather than their localities, further disconnecting them from grassroots needs.
Bayelsa:
Council chairmen claim to have enjoyed autonomy even before the Supreme Court ruling. Projects such as health centres, road construction, water supply, and town halls have been executed, with Governor Douye Diri citing them as evidence of responsible use of funds.
Ebonyi:
ALGON Chairman Augustine Uburu confirmed that councils receive allocations directly without interference from Governor Francis Nwifuru. Projects including roads, culverts, streetlights, and schools have reportedly been executed.
Borno:
Local governments have begun projects such as market stalls, health centres, and school furniture. However, it remains unclear whether they receive their full statutory allocations, as officials declined to provide details.
Kaduna:
Governor Uba Sani insists councils enjoy financial autonomy, but residents express skepticism, pointing to the absence of visible projects despite allocations of ₦500 million–₦700 million per LGA.
Cross River:
A state law mandates deductions from LGA allocations to fund state activities such as oversight functions, education, and road maintenance. While some projects exist, many councils still face poor roads, schools, and sanitation challenges.
Benue:
Governor Hyacinth Alia is said to have implemented autonomy even before the court ruling. Councils have embarked on various projects, including health centres, schools, and youth empowerment programmes.
While the Supreme Court judgement on local government autonomy promised to revolutionize grassroots governance, its impact remains uneven across Nigeria. In some states, councils have seized the opportunity to deliver development projects. In others, governors’ control, weak enforcement, and political fear have made autonomy little more than theory.
Until the federal government enforces compliance and state assemblies relinquish their grip on council operations, the dream of true local government independence may remain elusive.
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Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe Esq., ACIarb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
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