A joint study by the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (CSO) and the Citizens Centre for Integrated Development and Social Rights (CCIDESOR), in collaboration with UK International Development, has stated that financial allocations alone to Local Government Areas (LGAs) are insufficient to drive meaningful development, stressing the need for more proactive policy measures.

LGAs in Nigeria statutorily receive 20.6 per cent of the Federation Account allocation. However, the study noted that the persistent underdevelopment at the local government level has raised serious concerns about governance, accountability, and service delivery.

The two organisations made their position known in a policy brief titled “Topic for the Quarter: Local Government Autonomy and Improved Accountability: A Pathway to Rural Development, Economic Growth, and Democratic Deepening in Nigeria.”

The document was distributed to journalists in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, by the Executive Director of CCIDESOR, Dr. Emeka Ononamadu, who was represented by the Administration/Communication Officer of the Abia State branch, Dr. Temple Nwosu.

Dr. Ononamadu said the policy brief was issued in response to growing evidence that massive allocations to local governments are not translating into development, coupled with what he described as a rare political window to secure constitutional reforms that can restore accountability and strengthen grassroots governance.

The nine-page policy brief referenced recent observations by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting a critical disconnect between federal allocations to LGAs and actual development outcomes. It argued that the root cause of the problem lies in the absence of true financial, administrative, and political autonomy for local governments.

According to the document, findings from CSO and CCIDESOR field monitoring and capital project analysis across selected LGAs in the South-East revealed that allocated funds are not translating into visible development. It further observed that capital projects are often limited, poorly prioritised, or misaligned, while core constitutional responsibilities—such as primary education, primary healthcare, and agriculture—are largely neglected.

The study covered three South-East states—Abia, Enugu, and Imo—with three LGAs selected in each state. In Abia State, the LGAs studied included Aba South (urban/commercial), Bende (rural), and Umuahia South (mixed urban/rural).

The policy brief called for urgent constitutional reforms, particularly the amendment of Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution, to guarantee full local government autonomy and establish a citizen-driven accountability framework.
Key findings from the study highlighted a lack of financial autonomy, weak accountability systems, policy suppression, and misplaced development priorities within local government administration.

To address these challenges, the brief recommended that the Federal Government should amend the Constitution to abolish the State–Local Government Joint Account system, ensure direct statutory allocations to LGAs, strengthen oversight through anti-corruption agencies, and develop a national accountability framework for local governments.

It also urged the National Assembly to fast-track the amendment of Section 162, enact laws guaranteeing financial independence for LGAs, mandate public disclosure of local government budgets and expenditures, and strengthen legislative oversight.

For state governments, the brief advised a shift from control to support, urging them to stop the diversion of local government funds through joint accounts, review laws that undermine LGA autonomy, and allow elected local officials to operate independently without interference.

Additional recommendations included providing capacity-building support rather than financial control, focusing on state-level responsibilities, and respecting democratic governance at the local level.

The policy brief further urged local governments to publish their budgets and financial reports regularly, engage citizens through participatory budgeting, prioritise constitutional responsibilities, and strengthen internal accountability mechanisms.

It also outlined roles for civil society organisations, the media, and citizens. CSOs were encouraged to expand monitoring and evaluation of LGA projects, promote citizen awareness, and advocate for transparency and reform. The media was tasked with investigating and reporting on LGA spending, highlighting both successes and failures, and amplifying citizens’ voices.

Citizens and communities were urged to demand accountability, participate in budget tracking, attend town hall meetings, and report corruption and mismanagement.

On why state governors should stay off local government funds, the brief argued that LGAs are constitutionally recognised as a distinct tier of government and that centralised control undermines democracy.

It emphasised that local needs are best understood at the grassroots level and that direct funding would improve efficiency and responsiveness. Instead, state governments should focus on capacity building, coordination, and respect for institutional independence.

In conclusion, the brief stated that Nigeria is at a critical juncture, noting that the failure of local governance has significantly contributed to rural poverty, weak service delivery, and declining public trust.

“Granting full autonomy to local governments is not just a governance reform; it is a national development imperative. If implemented, it will unlock grassroots development, reduce corruption, strengthen democracy, and improve the quality of life for millions of Nigerians,” it stated.

The organisations added that with the current political climate, achieving constitutional reform is both possible and urgent, noting that full local government autonomy could become a defining legacy of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.