Nigerian Local Government Research Articles

Interrogating the Paradox--Availability of Funds and Paucity of Infrastructure/Social Amenities in Nigerian Local Government Areas: Conundrum of the Selected State (2011-2018)

Concerns have been expressed very often as to why the intergovernmental relations in the federal system of many developing countries, especially in the Sub-Sahara Africa are predictably chequered. Lack of devolution of power to LGAs in Nigeria is usually at the expense of grassroots development especially with regards to infrastructure/social amenities. Besides, the confusion surrounding progressive decline in provision of rural infrastructure to the local government areas of the state despite humongous monthly fiscal allocations to the LGAs by Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) equally creates existential problems to the rural dwellers. It is on this note that the study seeks to investigate the apparently disturbing paradox in Imo State. Data were sourced from both secondary and primary sources. Secondary data was sourced from government gazette and related literature while primary data was elicited from respondents through structured questionnaire. Multiple regression and graphical/pictorial analytical techniques were used for secondary and primary data respectively. The findings indicated that lack of transformative leadership exhibited in embezzlement of funds and indifference in leadership on the part of the State agents were the significant causes of poor development in the rural areas of Imo State. The study recommended inter alia; the enforcement of attitudinal change and punitive sanctions on the political and administrative classes in the state through legal measures to protect public funds for service delivery.

Filling the gaps in local governance: an analysis of the structure and process of informal community governance in Ibadan, Nigeria

The Nigerian local government system’s failure is widely documented, yet little is known about an alternative governance framework that communities have developed to tend to their needs. Using a case study methodology, this paper investigates the structure and process of informal community governance by which communities in Ibadan, Nigeria, fill in the gaps in local government. Documents and key informant interviews with community leaders provided qualitative data. The findings reveal that informal community governance systems are functioning well in Ibadan. Their governance process is open to all, participatory democracy is visible, and corruption is not tolerated. While Nigeria’s official local government structure lacks the governance and democratic culture essential for meaningful, long-term local development, this paper’s analysis shows that those features are being nurtured in the local community setting. The findings serve to draw attention to the need to institutionalise community governance as a form of local government capable of addressing a wide range of present and emerging community needs.

Risk Assessment of Background Radionuclides Doses in a Nigerian Local Government's Soil with Statistical Analyses

Risk Assessment of Background Radionuclides Doses in a Nigerian Local Government's Soil with Statistical Analyses

ANALYSIS OF PUBLIC FUND MANAGEMENT IN IFE CENTRAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT, OSUN STATE, NIGERIA.

The current financial predicament of Local Government Councils and constant pressure for increase in allocation has been in the front burner of Local Governments Administration in Nigeria. The focus of this research paper examined Local Government Finance in Nigeria using Ife Central Local Government. Data for the study were gathered from face-to-face interview and available records in Ife Central Local Government. The data collected were subjected to descriptive statistics (simple percentage) and content analysis. The study explored various sources of financing local governments in Nigeria. It also explained financial relationship of Nigerian local government vis-à-vis State and Federal Government using theory of decentralization. The study went further to explain financial management in Ife Central L.G. Result obtained from the analysis shows that financial transfers from federal government (Statutory Federal Allocation) are the most viable and reliable source of local government revenue and that without Federal Allocation no capital project can be embarked on. Therefore, to arrest this financial situation that local government find itself, that is over dependence on federal allocation, this work submitted that local government should increase their revenue base by laying more emphasis on the internal revenue sources, especially those areas that are hitherto neglected or not been fully exploited.

Ontology of Nigerian Local Governments: A Functional Approach towards the Global Pattern

From a functionalist perspective, every human society is made up of different social rankings, groups, units and organisations crafted to serve different purposes. The functional approach to the ontological perspective on local government is not about the call for absolute autonomy of local government. Thus, the main problem of this paper is to investigate the ontology of Nigerian local government from a functionalist approach. Using qualitative data, the paper reviewed the: true ontology of an ideal local government from a global parallax; factors affecting the ontology of Nigerian local governments; and practicable ways of making Nigerian local governments align with the global pattern of local governance. Godfatherism; corruption; bias, favouritism and nepotism; bad governance; inefficient service delivery; and electioneering problems were highlighted as the major factors affecting the ontology of Nigerian local governments. The paper submits that we must arise from slumber and as such, no room for excuses. Other revelations were thrown up as regards the true ontology of local government and the practicable ways of making Nigerian local government conform to global pattern. The paper concluded that, Nigeria local government is a failed public bureaucracy asking for the masses’ collective attention in form of revitalization. This attention if given will cause a paradigm shift and reasonably refurbish the local government system/structure to fit into the ontological shape of a modern day local government that is compliant with international best practices. This study has its implication on future research and practice.

Organizational culture typologies and strategy implementation: lessons from Nigerian local government

ABSTRACT This study investigates organizational culture typology and strategic implementation process in the local governments of a low middle income country in order to reveal the mix of culture types and implementation patterns that are needed for the success of local governments. Based on rich secondary datasets and in-depth qualitative study of six Nigerian local governments involving 42 participants, the findings highlights that local governments adopt different combinations of organizational cultures and those combinations can have varying implications for the way strategic actors approached their implementation process. As governments and funding bodies, such as the World Bank, continue to seek ways to meet the infrastructural and social needs of low middle income countries, particularly within local governments, this article presents opportunities and a platform for researchers and policy makers to explore the interrelationships between different organizational culture types and strategic implementation process for the successful delivery of developmental projects.

Assessment of local government autonomy and governance: A case study in Nigeria

Abstract Purpose: This paper critically examines opportunities and problems confronting the Nigerian local government system. To assess why the practice of complete local government autonomy and governance is difficult in Nigeria and suggest measures that may help improve the collaboration between the federal, state, and local government authorities in Nigeria. Research methodology: 300 questionnaires were administered to the staff of the Nkanu-West Local Government Area in Enugu State, and 276 were returned giving a response rate of 92 percent. The Marxist theory was adopted as the theoretical framework. Results: Results show that state interference in local affairs contributes to a lack of local government autonomy and governance, and the constitutional provisions portend intractable inter-government problems which make the local government a whipping child and less autonomous. Limitations: Nkanu-West local government is the only local government covered by the study. Contribution: The outcome of the study will be a contribution to the existing literature in the area of local government autonomy and governance.

A Micro-Political Analysis of Local Governance in Nigeria: The Case of Irepodun Local Government Authority

The study examined local government autonomy and local government service delivery in Nigeria. the study discovered that, Nigerian local government needs to be autonomous in the discharge of its statutory responsibility, if ongoing agitation for local government autonomy from different quarters in Nigeria is given an approval, this will strengthen local government’s service delivery. The study discovered that some states in Nigeria oppose local government autonomy due to political and economic considerations. The study further revealed that Irepodun local government (the micro-case study) in Nigeria is not totally autonomous. Although, local governance is transparent and accountable in Irepodun Local Government, especially in the identification, formulation and execution of its projects, Irepodun local government authority has a huge financial challenge in carrying out service delivery. The study therefore recommends that; the state joint local government account should be abolished from the Nigerian constitution to enable allocation of funds directly to the local governments from Federation account. they should also put a stop to the persistence deduction from the monthly allocation of local governments. Again, states should henceforth be made to remit regularly the constitutional 10% of their internally generated revenue to the local government authorities. Irepodun local government and other local government authorities in Nigeria emplace more efforts on sustainable wealth creation rather than depending solely on the grants from the federal and state governments.

Challenges of Democracy in Nigerian Local Government System: A Critical Analysis

After two decades of the return to civil rule, the not too impressive scorecard of Nigerian democracy has raised concerns and questions demanding answers as to why the country is still struggling with the delivery of democratic governance and dividends such as; social welfare, justice, even-federal development as well as equal access to national resources. The paper inspects carefully, those factors that have and are hindering the success of democracy and democratic governance in Nigeria especially at the local government level. In doing this, related literatures were reviewed while the Structural Functionalist theory is adopted as the theoretical model or frame work and the collection of data was carried out through the secondary source. The study reveals that democracy in Nigeria especially at the local government level has not done up to its expectation due largely to corruption, partisan politics, upper governmental interference, lack of local government autonomy, among others. It therefore recommends that among other things, the local governments should be granted it constitutional autonomy in powers and functions, the fight against corruption should be stretched to the local government areas while Local government officials are made accountable to the local residence and that the leaders should be more ethical in their political pursue

Local Government Autonomy in Nigeria: Its Problems and Prospects

Local Government (LG) is the closest tier of government to the people, and the quest for local government autonomy still generates exciting and healthy debate in Nigeria. This study examines critically the opportunities and problems, which confront the Nigerian local government system in its efforts to establish itself as a true tier of government. The objectives of the study were aimed at achieving some specific goals which were to find out why the practice of complete local government autonomy is difficult in Nigeria; to investigate the level of autonomy in Nigeria local government system, and to suggest measures that can be adopted to check state interference in the local government affairs in Nigeria. Three major hypotheses were formulated to guide the research. Three hundred (300) questionnaires were distributed to the staff in Nkanu west local government area while two hundred and seventy-six (276) were properly completed and returned. A five-point Likert scale was used for making data analysis. The theoretical framework adopted in this study is the Marxist theory. The proponents of this theory see local government as an instrument of the central governments, which works either as a direct means of securing proletarian compliance through suppression. The findings revealed that there were constitutional loopholes or contradiction that tends to provide the impetus for the unscrupulous state of officials to nurse the inordinate desire for hedging in the local government left, right and center. However, the findings also revealed that the area of jurisdictional rivalry between the state and local governments are mainly the lucrative ones, like rate collection, distribution of fertilizers, and other farm inputs like pesticides. Recommendations were made that local Government autonomy is anchored on an improved revenue base, adherence to constitutional provisions, political stability, accountability, and transparency in governance.

Local Government Performance under a Federal System: The Nigerian Experience

This paper examines the local government practice under the federal system of government in Nigeria. It highlights the performance of local government system in Nigeria as a federal entity. It accounts for the circumstances which underline the performance of the local government system in Nigeria and the impact on its efficiency and effectiveness. The secondary method of collecting data has been adopted in this paper and data collected were subjected to further documentary analysis. David Easton’s systems theory is employed as the theoretical framework. The findings reveal that because the practice of federalism in Nigeria has failed to take into account the heterogeneous composition of its peoples, it adopted a uniform system of local government which has failed to make impact on the people within their localities. The paper recommends enthronement of genuine and practical democratic federal cultures across the country and a fundamental review of the laws that created the Nigerian local government system with a view to evolving fewer but stronger local governments that are relatively independent, functional and adapted to meet peculiar local needs.

Developing A Nigerian Local Government Through Economic Gardening: A Roadmap

Economic Gardening is an innovative economic development strategy whereby local businesses are fostered and encouraged, and the skills of local workers are upgraded. Since its inception in Littleton, Colorado in 1989, this concept has been put forward by various scholars as a viable and more sustainable economic development strategy than the traditional business attraction strategy. Various implementation experiences have provided further evidence of its effectiveness in improving the quality of life of the inhabitants of a community. This paper charts a roadmap for the development and future implementation of an economic gardening strategy for a Nigerian local government whose officials have shown an interest in adopting such a strategy. A seven-step process was adopted from a review of economic gardening scholarship: 1) Working hand-in-hand with local government officials and other stakeholders, 2) Identifying the community’s assets, 3) Developing a collaborative effort amongst all stakeholders, 4) Developing a clear and transparent operating agreement, 5) Identifying the key targets for services, 6) Developing an effective way to deliver these services, and 7) Communicating regularly with the community so as to gain and retain their support. A lack of political will and a lack of adequate infrastructure were identified as the two biggest obstacles to the successful implementation of the economic gardening strategy in the local government. The first obstacle was mitigated by the fact that it was the local government officials who approached our team to develop the strategy, whilst the second obstacle was mitigated by a proposal for the development of a solar farm within the local government via a public-private partnership with an international solar firm. It is hoped that a successful implementation of this strategy will improve the lives of the inhabitants of the local government and serve as an example for other Nigerian local governments.

The Impacts of Administrative Structure on the Functions of Local Government in Nigeria (a Study of Ikorodu Local Government)

This research paper is an attempt to explicitly investigate the relationships between administrative structures and functions of Nigeria's local government. It will succinctly define the concept of local government, its history and the objectives of establishing grassroots government in Nigeria. Having adopted both primary and secondary means of data collection, this paper will therefore examine how the local government strives to deliver essential public services at the grassroots level. It will also seek to examine how coherent administrative structure has aided the effective and efficient performance of the administrative functions of Nigerian local government. Apart from explaining the basic objectives of local government in Nigeria, the paper will therefore conclude that the structures of local government are vital to the effectiveness and efficiency in performing its functions and thereby make some recommendations to help Nigerian local government perform its statutory functions.

Improving Human Resource Capacity in the Nigerian Local Government Administration: Challenges and Prospects

Local government administration is at the lowest, yet most critical level of government in a ruraldominated federation such as Nigeria. It is critical to rural and ultimately to national development if properly managed. However, local governments in Nigeria have been incapacitated to function effectively over the years. One of the age-long problems of this important level of government is the ineffective use and development of the human resource of local governments. This is why local government personnel are often perceived as inefficient, inexperienced, unqualified, unskilled and incompetent in the performance of their duties. It is, therefore, recommended in this paper that for local governments to become vibrant and perform their responsibilities to expected standard, the process of their recruitment, training and promotion of their personnel should be strictly in line with merit, staff development and sound personnel management practices.

STRUCTURAL CHALLENGES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION IN NIGERIA

This paper examined the structural challenges and local government development in Nigeria. Local governments system in Nigeria, has taken different forms from one period to the other. There were series of reforms in the Nigerian local government system aimed at addressing the structural deficiency inherent in the third tier of government in Nigerian federation. Suffice it to say that, the development of local government in Nigeria is almost becoming an illusion as local governments faced with multifarious structural challenges which serve as impediments to its development. The study that relied on secondary data sources through a comprehensive review of relevant literature on the subject of discussion. The paper identified constitutional crises, undue political interference amongst others as major constraints to local government development in Nigeria. The paper submits that there is need to restructure the present local government system in Nigeria by going back to multi-tier local government in the 1950’s. Areas of contribution to its development were also identified and conclude that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should be amended to enable State Governments and the various State Houses of Assembly loosen their firm grip on the local governments in order to allow the local government authorities take initiative that will enhance its growth and development.

Contracting Out Services in the Nigerian Local Government: Implications for Internal Revenue Generation

The primary reasons for creating the Nigerian local government system was grassroots mobilization and development. The Council has however, consistently failed to provide critical services to the rural poor ostensibly because of poor funding. The work examined the structure, functions and accountability mechanisms of the Council vis-à-vis its revenue generation capacity. The problem identified is that the Council contracts out services and its statutory revenue sources at ridiculous prices to patrons even in the face of fiscal cutback and burgeoning demand from the critical populace. Using the Local Government Discretion and Accountability Diagnostic Framework of Analysis and Financial Agency Theory, the paper found that lack of political, administrative and financial accountability mechanisms provides the leeway for unscrupulous Council officials to grossly enrich themselves and their patrons. The paper recommends that the Public Procurement Act which emphasizes Due Process in tendering should be institutionalized by the local government. The anti-graft agencies should be repositioned to deal with treasury looters while the electoral process should be reformed to make it more transparent and inclusive.

Selected Pitfalls towards Effective Service Provision in the Nigerian Local Government

Selected Pitfalls towards Effective Service Provision in the Nigerian Local Government

An Assessment of Revenue Mobilization in Nigeria Local Government: Problems and Prospects

This study assessed the prospects and problems of revenue mobilization in Nigerian Local Governments. It specifically determined the significant impact of development on internally generated revenue of local government in Nigeria; assessed the impact of financial misappropriations on internally generated revenue in the local government in Nigeria. The study employed the use of closed ended and likert scale ranked, well-structured questionnaire as the source of data collection. The responses of the questionnaire were coded and later analyzed with the use of inferential (multiple regression) statistics. The study revealed that development has significant impact of 21.9% ( t= 3.575 and p< 0.05 ) on internally generated revenue of local government in Nigeria, while financial misappropriation has significant impact of 26.5% ( t= 4.668 and p<0.05 ) on internally generated revenue of local government in Nigeria. The study concluded that the level of development (human and infrastructural) and the rate of financial misappropriation are determinants to the revenue base of Nigerian local governments. It is recommended that Nigerian local government authorities should ensure both human and infrastructural development in their respective constituencies as this is influential on the level of revenue derivation. In addition, local government authorities should ensure a carrot and stick approach whereby members of staff are rewarded on performance and strictly punished for perpetrating financial misappropriations in other to curb the menace of the anathema on the fabric of the society.

The search for viable local government system in Nigeria: an interrogation

The history of the Nigerian local government system has been one long episode of trails and errors aimed at achieving viable local government institution without much success. Local government in the country began its long series of reforms from the colonial period when the colonial government attempted to de-concentrate the local administration as a basis for socio-economic development of the Nigerian state. With the shift in the mandate of local government from being primarily extractive, law and order agency to one engaged in grassroots development, the objective came to be re-defined as comprising bringing government closer to the people. However, the success of the local government as a veritable tool for grassroots development is largely dependent on its viability. This paper was thus inspired by the desire to interrogate why the search for viable local government system in Nigeria has been futile since the country’s political independence with a view to proffering the pathway to sustainable viable local government system capable of ensuring effective grassroots development and transformation in the country.Keywords: Local Government, Search, Viable, System, Interrogation, Development, Transformation

Theory, principle and practice of local governance in Nigeria

The paper assessed the performance of local government councils in Nigeria, using the yardsticks of the rationale behind their creation and existing theories of local government. Essentially, contentious issues regarding corrupt practices, most especially as they pertain to public accountability at the grassroots were critically explored. It extracted data from existing literature on local government, government documents and other secondary sources. The investigation revealed that at the initial stage, local governments in Nigeria contributed, in some ways, to development and transformation of both the urban and rural areas in Nigeria. Such contributions included refuse disposal from markets and other strategic locations across cities; opening up of the rural areas through provision of roads, which facilitated rural transformation in the country to an extent; provision of elementary school education and other valuable services as medical treatment dispensaries and disease control projects, which included management of diseases like leprosy and small-pox. Many rural communities at the period relied on these services. In urban areas, Town Councils offered an array of services that city dwellers relied on. Sanitary inspection, town planning, water supply and markets and their managements were among valuable services that Town Councils provided across Nigeria. These accomplishments were possible partly because they internally raised the revenues from which they funded the services that they provided. Although they received subventions from Regional and Central Governments for targeted expenditures, they still imposed taxes and as well raised tax revenues from the services they provided. The feats, however, were achieved mostly in the colonial period and in pre-civil war independent Nigeria. Soon after this period, local government administrations in Nigeria began to dwindle and subsequently fell far short of expectation. Despite public expectations that ushered in the creations of extension of governance closer to the people, the practice of local governance in Nigeria failed to bring the much-expected dividend of democracy to the grassroots. This was partly due to some internal shortcomings within the local councils and partly due to some critical external factors like constitutional inadequacies and usurpation of local government powers by the governments of the federating units, under whom the the local governments operate. If anything, local government in Nigeria did not enjoy independent status and power decentralisation as expected in a federal system. For this reasons, translating the theories to practice in the Nigerian local government had almost become a mirage; promoting democracy and effectively delivering local public services had, as well, not been realistic..