An evaluation of the challenges and the effectiveness of effective local government administration in Nigeria: The way forward

Abstract

Local government was created to provide certain statutory services that may be local in nature; it is believed that it is the level most suitable for that because of its proximity to the grassroots. But since Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, discharging their responsibilities effectively have been a big challenge to the local governments. This paper, therefore, seeks to evaluate the challenges that have been preventing the local government from achieving its responsibilities effectively and proffer solutions. To achieve this, the researcher adopted Content Analysis as its methodology where it reviewed the works of other researchers and writers and arrived at a conclusion based on their views and opinions. The research work concluded that most of the challenges being experienced at the local government level in Nigeria is as a result of the contradictions and ambiguities in the hastily compiled 1999 Constitution by the retreating military government of Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar. Some of the recommendations include the need to review the sections of the 1999 Constitution that dealt with local government in order to guarantee autonomy to that tier of government. Again, there is the need to abolish the State Joint Local Government Accounts as state governors have been diverting funds meant for development at the local government to other areas. Local government service should be made attractive like the federal and state service to attract qualitative manpower that will engender effectiveness and socio-economic development at that tier of government.