Local Government in Inter-Governmental Relations in Nigeria: Effects on Governance and Project Implementation

Abstract

Inter-governmental relations in Nigerian federation entails formal allocation of powers both vertical and horizontally among various levels of government. In this relationship local government is seen as a thirdtier or level of government with power to transform their areas of jurisdiction through good governance. This study was to assess the effect of such relationship on the governance and project implementation by local government. The study adopted a historical and descriptive approach in data collection. The study therefore, revealed that right from 1954 – 1979, Local governments have been subjected to all sort of control by other tiers of government, namely federal and state governments. The study further revealed that following 1976 local government reforms, it was believed that, the situation would improve, but instead, the status quo still remained. This lopsided relation has impacted negatively on good governance, and by extension inability to implement live touching projects. Based on this, the study recommended that local government should be allowed to function as governments with minimal control from the state governments. Also, the on-going National Conference should alter section 7(1) of the present 1999 and 2011 amended constitutions for local government to be constitutionally created and not state.