A coalition of civil society organisations has called for full administrative and financial autonomy for Local Government Areas (LGAs), describing it as a critical non-kinetic strategy to address insecurity and promote grassroots development in Nigeria.
The position was presented in Umuahia by the Citizens Centre for Integrated Development and Social Rights (CCIDESOR) in collaboration with the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (NCSSR), during the unveiling of a policy brief on LGA autonomy.
The brief, titled “Local Government Autonomy and Improved Accountability: A Pathway to Rural Development, Economic Growth and Democratic Deepening in Nigeria,” highlights the role of empowered local governments in addressing poverty and insecurity at the community level.
Speaking at the event, CCIDESOR Coordinator, Emeka Ononammadu, said granting LGAs control over their resources would enable them to directly tackle the root causes of crime, including unemployment and lack of economic opportunities.
“We must seize the current political opportunity to correct longstanding structural issues that have hindered local government effectiveness and contributed to insecurity,” he said.
Ononammadu attributed the gap between development outcomes at the grassroots and funds allocated to LGAs to the absence of true financial, administrative, and political autonomy. He noted that even Bola Tinubu has acknowledged this disconnect.
The group called on the National Assembly of Nigeria to urgently amend Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution to guarantee full autonomy for LGAs and establish a citizen-driven accountability framework.
It also urged the Federal Government to introduce a direct allocation mechanism that removes state governments from controlling local government funds, alongside strengthening oversight by anti-corruption agencies.
State governments were advised to refrain from interfering in local government administration and instead provide technical support to enhance efficiency and service delivery.
In addition, the CSOs charged LGAs to improve transparency by regularly publishing budgets and financial reports, adopting participatory budgeting processes, and strengthening internal financial systems.
They further called on the media to play a more active role in promoting accountability by investigating local government spending, highlighting successes and failures, and amplifying citizens’ voices.
According to the groups, strengthening local governance structures is essential for sustainable development, improved service delivery, and democratic deepening across Nigeria.
