A coalition of civil society organizations (CSOs), alongside the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), has called on the Federal and State Governments to fully implement executive orders and the Supreme Court judgment supporting financial autonomy for Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Nigeria.
The call was made in a communiqué issued at the end of a one-day training on Economic Literacy and Budget Accountability for Local Government Stakeholders, held in Enugu.
The event was convened by the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, in partnership with the Citizens Centre for Integrated Development and Social Rights (CCIDESOR) and NULGE.
Participants and stakeholders at the training made several resolutions aimed at enhancing grassroots governance and ensuring true autonomy for LGAs:
– Immediate removal of the Joint Account Provision in the 1999 Constitution, which they say has hindered development and undermined local governance for decades.
– Disbandment of the Joint Accounts Committee (JAC), describing it as a relic of military rule that centralizes power and resources at the state level, depriving LGAs of needed funds.
– Restoration of full political and financial autonomy to all 774 LGAs across Nigeria, which, according to the communique, could significantly reduce the country’s economic, political, and security challenges.
“The only viable pathway to national economic recovery and democratic renewal is the activation of LGAs as fully functional and autonomous governance institutions,” the communiqué stated.
The coalition proposed that:
– In addition to monthly federal allocations, states should allocate a portion of their internally generated revenue (IGR) to LGAs, acknowledging the economic contributions LGAs make to state IGR.
– Citizens must be actively engaged in the budget process, including formation, monitoring, and evaluation to ensure responsive governance at the grassroots level.
– LGA budgets should be publicly accessible, in line with the Freedom of Information Act (Section 2), which mandates proactive disclosure of public documents.
– Budgets must address real community needs, such as quality healthcare, education, rural infrastructure, and markets.
– Transparent budget execution and procurement processes should be enforced to ensure value for money and stimulate local economic growth.
“Budgets are legal instruments. Any violations in their implementation are financial crimes against society,” the communiqué emphasized.
The communiqué recommended urgent legislative reforms to safeguard LGA autonomy, including:
– The repeal of the Joint Account Committee through constitutional amendment by the National Assembly, in partnership with state governments, before the end of 2026.
– CSOs should intensify advocacy at both national and state assemblies to entrench LGAs as a full third tier of government, with constitutionally guaranteed autonomy.
– Governors in the South-East were specifically urged to prioritize LGA autonomy as a strategic pillar for regional development.
The communiqué was jointly signed by:
- Mr. Kene Ogbuzuru – Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room
- Dr. Emeka Ononamadu – Executive Director, CCIDESOR
- Mr. Emeka Nwanevu – Representative of Civil Society Organisations
- Mr. Samuel Ani – Representative of Media and Religious Groups / NULGE
