Nigeria’s 774 Local Governments: A Call for Further Reform — Wale Adedayo

According to Wale Adedayo, the recent Supreme Court order granting direct allocation of federal funds to Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas is a significant step towards addressing the country’s underdevelopment. However, Adedayo emphasizes that “it is not Uhuru yet” for these local governments, as more work needs to be done to ensure quality social and economic development at the grassroots level.

Adedayo lauds the current administration for recognizing the source of Nigeria’s underdevelopment and taking steps to address it. He notes that; “the current Administration led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should be appropriately lauded for not just seeing where Nigeria’s underdevelopment emanates from, but also for having the political will to confront the problem and providing a solution.”

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However, Adedayo expresses concern about the lack of conscience among some governors, who prioritize their interests over the welfare of their constituents. He states that “majority of our Governors do not have conscience… they always sit in front during worship services in churches and mosques.” Adedayo argues that this lack of conscience is evident in their failure to allocate funds to Local Government Areas, which are responsible for catering to the needs of the poor and vulnerable.

To address this issue, Adedayo recommends that State Houses of Assembly establish rules to ensure the payment of salaries, allowances, and other essential expenses of Local Government Areas as First Line charges. He also advocates for the regulation of employment in Local Government Areas, noting that “each local government should employ or retain employees in accordance with their needs.”

He further emphasizes the need for State Governments to remit 10% of their Internally Generated Revenues to Local Governments, as stipulated by the 1999 Constitution. He also suggests that Local Governments should be allowed to control parks and garages in their areas and collect Tenement Rates, as provided for in the Constitution.

In conclusion, Adedayo stresses that “each of our 774 local governments should now have a Legal Department” to provide quality legal advice to chairmen. He also recommends that State Governments organize workshops for elected chairmen and councillors to equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills to perform their duties effectively.