“Local government should be the domain of our best and brightest, not a dumping ground for political cronies.”
In a country besieged by a plethora of challenges, the Nigerian local government system stands at a critical juncture. The constitution already places a lot on the plates of local governments, but the potential for transformation is vast. It is high time our local government chairmen, whether elected or appointed, embrace creativity and innovation. There are myriad templates and models from around the world to draw inspiration from—so why do our LGs remain stagnant?
Having lived in the United Kingdom for many years, I seldom interacted with the central government. My primary dealings were with the Royal Borough of Greenwich—my local borough. From education to housing, job centres to libraries, council tax issues to refuse disposal, local roads to public health and safety, all were managed effectively at the local level. This brings us to a recent Supreme Court judgement on local government autonomy in Nigeria, a ruling that could be a game-changer if leveraged correctly.
We need to elect Council Chairmen of proven integrity—men and women who are thinkers and doers, not merely hustling politicians. These should be individuals with big ideas who won’t just resort to constructing lock-up shops and markets—a bricks-and-mortar philosophy in an era of internet-enabled e-commerce. Local government should be the domain of our best and brightest, not a dumping ground for political cronies.
The constitution empowers local governments to create change, but they need data to do so effectively. Data is critical in determining the population they serve, the services required, the efficiency of service delivery, and funding sources. Yet, a visit to any local government office in Nigeria is akin to stepping into a time warp, with files upon files collecting dust. Our local government administration system must be digitised.
Moreover, we need a conscious effort to recruit young, tech-savvy individuals into the local government system. Continuous training and re-training are essential. Some staff should participate in exchange programmes both locally and internationally, bringing back broader perspectives and innovative solutions. Many local government employees have never left their villages, and their narrow outlook hampers progress.
Twinning local governments with those in developed countries could yield substantial benefits. It should start with creating websites and social media pages to market local governments globally. Transparency and visibility will attract investments and drive development.
The Supreme Court’s landmark judgement on local government autonomy marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey. It is a step in the right direction towards decentralisation and empowering communities to shape their own destinies. However, the road to true autonomy is fraught with challenges, including the potential overreach of state governors. To navigate these complexities, robust civic engagement and sensitisation are imperative.
By fostering an informed and active citizenry, we can create an environment where the best candidates emerge, unhindered by undue influence. This requires a concerted effort from civil society organisations, community leaders, and the media to educate voters about their rights and responsibilities and to hold elected officials accountable. Only through a collective commitment to transparency and good governance can we harness the full potential of local government autonomy.
Local governments must become competitive. Those that ensure safety and foster economic activity will attract people, investments, and businesses. This competitive edge will compel LG Chairmen to perform or be voted out in the next election cycle. The current reliance on state government allocations breeds laziness, and the excuse of being starved of funds will no longer hold water.
The revolution Nigeria desperately needs can begin at the local government level. As the tier of government closest to the people, they possess a unique understanding of the challenges and aspirations of their constituents.
By granting local governments unhindered access to their allocated funds and empowering them to explore innovative revenue generation strategies, we can ignite a transformative process. This will not only bolster their capacity to deliver essential services but also stimulate economic growth and development at the grassroots.
It is imperative to unleash the untapped potential within our local government system, allowing them to become catalysts for positive change across the nation.
