Digesting the Dynamics of Federal-State-Local Government Nexus in Nigeria’s Federal System

Abstract

In every country operating a federal system of government, there are usually two distinct levels of government. One is the federal or central all-embracing government, and the other is the government of the component parts which is known by such names as state, region or province. Each of these levels of government is assigned distinct functions in the constitution of the country concerned. The sphere of local government is usually accommodated in the state list with the federal government having no constitutional role to play. This paper focuses on local local-state-federal relations in Nigeria's federal system. The developments in the Nigerian case reveal clear state-local and federal-local nexus both constitutionally and administratively. More importantly is the fact that, there is growing local-federal nexus. This paper supports the emergent tripartite federal arrangement and the increasing local-federal nexus to consolidate government at the grassroots in Nigeria.

Key words: Local government, local-state-federal nexus, Nigeria.