By Chidiebere Nwaneto
It’s time we addressed the elephant in the room: Nigeria’s local governments are not truly autonomous. While they are constitutionally recognized as the third tier of government, in reality, they operate under the shadow of state governments, lacking both financial independence and legislative authority. This structural imbalance has hampered development at the grassroots level for decades.
Under the current framework, funds allocated to local governments by the federal government must pass through the State Joint Local Government Account (SJLGA). In theory, this system should ensure smooth coordination. In practice, however, it has become a tool for manipulation.
Many state governors delay disbursement, redirect funds, or simply starve local councils of the resources needed to function. Elected local councils are frequently dissolved and replaced with caretaker committees, denying communities the right to choose their leaders and demand accountability.
In July 2024, the Supreme Court of Nigeria issued a landmark judgment: all federal allocations must be paid directly to the 774 local government areas, and governors can no longer dissolve elected councils or impose caretaker arrangements. This ruling affirmed the constitutional status of local governments and was widely celebrated as a win for democracy.
But let’s be clear—this legal victory is not the finish line. It’s a starting point.
The ruling did not change the Constitution. Local governments still lack full legislative and administrative autonomy. They remain, legally and politically, subordinate to the states. Without constitutional reform, financial autonomy alone will not translate into good governance at the grassroots.
This matters more than most people realize. The closest government to the average Nigerian is the local government. They are responsible for health centers, primary schools, roads, sanitation, markets, providing pipe-borne water, and other essential services. When these councils are weak, neglected, or manipulated, ordinary citizens suffer. Roads go unpaved. Clinics remain unequipped. Budgets are mismanaged, and the distance between the people and those who govern them widens.
True autonomy would empower local governments to function independently, answer to their constituents, and drive development tailored to local needs. It would restore public trust and create a culture of accountability from the ground up. And more importantly, it would bring democracy home, closer to the people it’s meant to serve.
Opponents of autonomy, including some political elites, argue that it would weaken federalism or lead to disorganization. But the real threat to Nigeria’s federalism is a lopsided power structure that concentrates authority in too few hands. When grassroots governments are stifled, democratic participation shrinks and corruption festers.
So, what should be done?
First, the National Assembly must prioritize a constitutional amendment that grants full political, administrative, and financial autonomy to local governments. The amendment must remove the dependency on state laws and restore local councils as an independent tier of government, with authority to govern and legislate within their jurisdictions.
Second, state governors and legislators must comply with the Supreme Court ruling and end the practice of caretaker committees. True democracy demands elections, not appointments. This compliance should be monitored and enforced by relevant oversight bodies, including the judiciary.
Third, civil society and the media must remain vigilant. Citizens deserve transparency—both in funding and in performance. Community groups should track allocations, monitor spending, and report breaches of autonomy. Local elections must be taken seriously, and voter education campaigns should emphasize the power of the third tier.
Finally, the people themselves must rise to the occasion. Know your councilor. Attend town hall meetings. Demand development. Push your representatives to support autonomy bills. If you’re tired of neglect, get involved—organize, contest, vote. A better Nigeria starts with better local governance.
This is our moment to reset the system. The Supreme Court has opened the door. Now, it’s up to lawmakers, activists, and citizens to walk through it and cement local government autonomy as the backbone of Nigerian democracy.
Because when the grassroots are empowered, the nation thrives.
