Autonomy of local government system in Nigeria: an aberration or necessity

Abstract

Autonomy of Local Government System in Nigeria is one shrouded in controversies. While some share the sentiment that there is need to grant substantial autonomy to this tier of government to exercise its constitutional roles and access its funds as enshrined in sections 7, 162(5) and 4th schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999(as amended); others believe that this quest for autonomy is misguided since no tier of government enjoys absolute autonomy. But in some developed nations (like, Brazil, Argentina and the United State of America) Local Governments enjoy relative autonomy. However, that is not so with the Nigerian Local Government Councils. Provision of basic amenities are the core roles of the Nigerian Local Government is to services to the natives. But how can this be realized when its autonomy is shrouded in controversy? This work examines the autonomy of the Nigerian Local Government all to ascertain it’s useful or otherwise to Nigerians.