Nigeria Local Government: A Discourse on the Theoretical Imperatives in a Governmental System

Abstract

The need for the creation and existence of local governments in a  governmental system has, over the years, been one of the most frequently discussed issues in public administration studies. Accompanying this  discussion usually is the consideration of the challenges confronting the local governments in the performance of the functions that underscore the imperative for their creation. In this work, we articulated and analyzed in detail, the theoretical imperatives for the creation of local governments in governmental system. This we did under three major schools of thought on the functional relevance of the local governments. These schools of  thought are the democratic participatory school, the efficient-service school and the development school. We further explored and analyzed some of the factors that constitute fundamental challenges to the performance of the expected development roles by the local governments using the  Nigerian Federal system of government as a reference point. In conclusion, we noted that local governments constitute key institutions for enhancing democracy and advancing development particularly at the local or  grassroots level but constrained in the performance of these roles, by inadequate finance, poor political leadership and insufficient autonomy as exemplified in the Nigerian federal system of government.

Key words: Local Government, governmental system, development