Comparative analysis of Local government system In United states of America and Nigeria

Abstract

The paper examined a comparative analysis of local government system in United State of America and Nigeria with hope to provide an effective and functional local government system in both United States of America and Nigeria. United States of America operates multi-purpose while Nigeria operates single-purpose local government systems. The two systems are geared towards providing better service delivery to their people. The study adopted the used of secondary data to obtain relevant information that guided major decisions in the study. Major decision in the study revealed that there is a remarkable difference between local government system in United States of America and Nigeria. Local governments systems in United States of America are far ahead of their counterpart in Nigeria in the area of funding, fund management, autonomy and purposeful leadership. The two countries though not enjoying complete financial autonomy because their greater sources of revenue are derived from the state and governments at the centre. More so, it is pertinent to note that Nigeria has so much to learn and benefit from the system of governance in local governments in United States of America. Based on the above, it worthy to recommended that the sustainability of local government systems in both United States of America and Nigeria, should be given a chance to run itself, source for fund, encourage free and democratically elected local government officials without interference in other to engender effective service delivery in the local government systems.