Local Government Autonomy And Overlapping Mandates Of State Institutions In Nigeria: A Critical Analysis

Abstract

This paper examined local government autonomy and the overlapping mandates of state institutions charged with the responsibility of local government administration in Nigeria. The broad objective of the paper is to establish if there is a positive relationship between these state institutions and lack of autonomy of local government system in Nigeria. The work adopted qualitative research methodology, using content analysis. The quest for local government autonomy in Nigeria has raged on since 1950s and has attracted enough attention of scholars, local government practitioners and Nigerian constitution, hence the availability of enough data in qualitative form to critically review and analyze the work. The paper found out that the traditional approach of legal and constitutional means to grant local government autonomy has always hit the rock. It recommended that the only viable option is for the National Assembly to amend the constitution to reduce the over concentrated powers at the federal level and allow states more powers that will make the local government less attractive to states. Empowerment of the local people is a necessity to enable them to participate effectively in political affairs of the country