The Federal Government’s recent move to grant full financial and administrative autonomy to local governments has been hailed as a pivotal development in Nigeria’s democratic journey. The proposal, championed by the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, and now before the Supreme Court, seeks to address long-standing structural issues that have hindered the effectiveness of the third tier of government.
Dr. Ade Dosunmu, a public policy expert and former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), expressed strong support for this initiative, describing it as a long overdue and crucial step towards enhancing democracy and governance in Nigeria. He emphasized that the lack of autonomy for local governments has significantly slowed the country’s democratic progress compared to other democratic nations.
Dosunmu highlighted the ambiguity within the 4th Schedule and Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution, which simultaneously recognizes local governments as a distinct tier of government and yet allocates certain administrative functions to state governments and state assemblies. This contradiction, he argued, must be resolved to ensure true financial and administrative independence for local governments.
“I commend the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for this bold step. Granting full autonomy to the 774 local governments will empower them to deliver the dividends of democracy directly to Nigerians, enhancing governance and political participation at the grassroots level,” Dosunmu stated.
The proposed autonomy is expected to attract more qualified individuals to local government positions, reducing the focus on state and federal levels and promoting political inclusiveness. This shift would allow federal and state governments to concentrate on broader policy issues, while local governments could independently address community-specific needs, leading to more efficient service delivery, transparency, and accountability.
Moreover, Dosunmu noted that local governments, being closest to the people, are best positioned to understand and address local needs. Full autonomy would facilitate a more equitable distribution of power and resources, strengthening democratic institutions across Nigeria.
In summary, Dr. Dosunmu asserted that granting full autonomy to local governments would enhance governance, increase citizen participation, improve service delivery, and accelerate grassroots development, marking a significant stride towards achieving good governance and sustainable development in Nigeria.