Posts

Official Report from the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Peer Learning Session

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Executive Summary: CenterLSD in collaboration with DEAN Initiative organized a Peer Learning Session designed to promote collaboration, knowledge exchange, and capacity-building, among the six FCT Area Councils – Abaji, AMAC, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali, in order to strengthen Open Government Practices in Councils. The session was held on the 20th and 21st December, 2024 at Golden Dabis hotel, Keffi, Nasarawa with the following objectives: advance the adoption and implementation of Open Government Partnership (OGP) principles through:

  1. Experiences and best practices from OGP-signed Area Councils
  2. Raising awareness and fostering commitment among unsigned councils to join OGP-Local. 
  3. Enhancing participants’ capacities in transparency, accountability, and public participation. 
  4. Equipping Directors of Administration with practical tools to drive OGP-aligned reforms. 
  5. Establishing actionable plans and effective reporting mechanisms to ensure the sustainability of OGP practices. 

The session had participants including Councils’ Directors of Administration, Secreteries, Treasurers, Chief of Staffs, Heads of Information, Heads of Personel Management, Director of PHCs, Director of Budget, and OGP Desk officers across the six (6) Area Councils. Citizens representatives from the six Area Councils, Civil Society Advisor, and M&E Advisor from the OGP National Secretariat were represented at the event. An expert on budget at the state and local government levels was invited from Kaduna to share knowledge on how the Community Development Committee worked in the state. 


The participants at the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Peer Learning Session, deliberated extensively on the strategies to deepen OGP practices and commitments in the various Councils and resolved as follows: 

Resolutions and Recommendations

  1. Promoting OGP as a Democratic Tool

OGP shall be promoted as a key driver of democratic governance, enabling councils to amplify their achievements, strengthen citizen trust, and enhance global recognition of their efforts. With the aim of “blowing our trumpets,” we shall adopt OGP as a democratic tool to inspire confidence in the transformative potential of open governance practices.

  1. Institutionalizing OGP at the Local Level

To ensure sustainability, all councils are encouraged to institutionalize OGP principles within their operational structures. This includes embedding OGP commitments into governance frameworks, policies, and practices to guarantee their continuity and effectiveness.

  1. Submission of Letters of Intent by Area Councils

The three area councils yet to join the OGP initiative must immediately commence the process of submitting their Letters of Intent. These councils are expected to complete their submissions no later than 31st January 2025, positioning themselves to leverage the current possible support and resources available for the development of their Action Plan.

  • Building a Network of OGP Reformers

Every government official present at this session shall take responsibility and become a dedicated OGP reformer within their respective councils. These reformers will act as catalysts, facilitating the acceptance, implementation, and monitoring of OGP commitments within the political heads and civil servents to align the council activities with OGP practices.

  • Strengthening Citizen and Civil Society Engagement

Councils are strongly encouraged to adopt an inclusive approach by intentionally involving citizen representatives and civil society organizations (CSOs) in all OGP-related activities and commitments. Citizens and CSOs, in turn, are urged to actively and persistently engage councils, providing constructive input and advocacy to enhance the impact of OGP initiatives.

Conclusion

This communiqué underscores our collective commitment to advancing the principles of open government at the grassroots level. By institutionalizing OGP practices, fostering inclusive participation, and building a network of intentional reformers, we aim to create a governance system that is transparent, accountable, and truly reflective of the needs and aspirations of the people. These resolutions represent a shared vision for transforming local governance through collaboration, innovation, and sustained action.

Adopted this 21st day of December 2024.

Signed:

FCT Area Councils Directors of Administration

FCT Area Councils Citizens Representatives

DEAN Initiative

Centre LSD

Advancing Local Governance Reforms: OGP-Local’s Impact in Abuja FCT

/0 Comments/in , , /by

By: Doreen Mennom Oho

Technical Programs Lead

In a significant move to deepen governance reforms at the grassroots, the Open Government Partnership-Local (OGP-Local) is hosting a transformative two-day Scorecard and Peer Learning Session in Keffi. This session brings together leaders from Abuja’s Six Area Councils and their citizen representatives to evaluate progress and exchange innovative ideas for strengthening transparency and accountability.

A Journey of Impact and Inclusion

Through the OGP-Local institutional framework, impressive strides have been made in fostering citizen engagement and enhancing governance processes at the local government level. Key achievements include:

  • Citizen participation in budget formulation and implementation processes.
  • Improved access to budget documents for the public.
  • Establishing official websites and social media presence for better communication.
  • Organizing town hall meetings to facilitate dialogue between leaders and citizens.
  • Creating complaints channels to address citizen concerns efficiently.

Despite the inherent challenges of driving reforms at this level, the initiative has sustained impactful partnerships with local communities, leveraging dedication and creative strategies to foster meaningful change.

Challenges in the Path of Progress

However, significant obstacles remain. Political will gaps and inadequate capacity among government staff to ideate and implement reforms hinder progress. Additionally, a tendency to prioritize self-interest over community-focused initiatives poses a threat to governance reform. Financial constraints, including shrinking funding opportunities, also present ongoing hurdles for sustaining these efforts.

The Power of Partnerships

The successes achieved thus far would not have been possible without the invaluable support of partners like the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD) and the MacArthur Foundation. These collaborations have fueled transformative initiatives, making it possible to achieve milestones in governance that were once thought unattainable.

A Call to Action

As the Scorecard and Peer Learning Session unfolds, it serves as a critical platform to explore innovative solutions, strengthen leadership capacity, and renew commitments to open governance. Moving forward, it’s imperative to bridge the gaps in political will and resource allocation, ensuring the sustainability of these transformative reforms.

This initiative underscores the potential of inclusive governance to create communities where transparency and accountability are the norm, not the exception.

Breaking Norms: Students Lead Local Government Budget Access

/1 Comment/in , , /by

By: Doreen Mennom Oho

Technical Programs Lead

One of the most daring dares in Nigeria is the resolve to look into the politicians’ pot of life: the public funds. They don’t only fume, they chase, castrate and even kill to mark that territory a “no-go area” for any. Since the launch of accountability and several anti-corruption initiatives in Nigeria, the clampdown on free speech, free civic space and access to public information has scaled. The sacrifices and resilience of rights crusaders like the legendary singer Fela, human rights lawyer Gani Fawehimi, activist Ken Saro-wiwa and the like have built indelible foundations that have continued to thrive despite daily attacks and humiliations.

With the work organizations like BudgIT have done in breaking the walls surrounding general access to federal budgets, it’s interpretation and detailed analysis for public engagement and use, citizens have become increasingly interested in public funds spending. Follow the Money by CODE transformed young people’s inquisitiveness to ask questions about how public funds are spent, and the beautiful campaign strategies of Enough is Enough(EiE) all together have shifted the corruption goalposts in Nigeria and pushed back the audacity with which the politicians and civil servants loot public funds.

But all the while, organizations and individuals have dedicated focus on national government and its operations. At DEAN, we also dared to shift focus. We dared to narrow the searchlight focus on the activities of the Local Governments, their institutional structures and use of public funds. Our theory is simple: 774 smaller governments will serve faster, easier and better than one big government that is far, centralized and full of bureaucratic control. For over six years, we have made so many enemies daring this almost untouchable tier of government than we have made in our lives. What we have learned in these six years is enough to give up, but hope is not just the sight of light and possibility, hope is faith in the face of obvious hopeless state. That is our theory’s theory. What faith does is that it teaches you how not to keep failing.

The local government set up at the moment is brutal to development needs. The set up houses some of the worst human workforce, and the politicians at this level have almost zero interest and knowledge of governance. The fact that they lack absolute interest in learning and improving their competence in delivering better governance is saddening. We applaud organizations that have initiated several initiatives geared towards building the capacity of local government administrators and improve their citizens’ engagement culture. We have built a number of successful initiatives as well to support local leaders turn out better in delivering good governance. But we have gone ahead to design citizens demand driven actions to test the deliveries of our tailored capacity building for local government leaders. This is how we measure results. 

The demand for local government budgets, IGR data and town hall meetings, and the resistance with which the local government officials attack the demands even after years of providing global standard support and capacity building shows how simply building their capacities don’t translate into anticipated changes. The first time we started requesting for copies of local government budgets from the Area Councils in Abuja FCT, we were treated like criminals. Police were invited to threaten us with arrests and the experience goes on and on. It is evident that training and capacity building must be matched with innovative activism and citizens demand system. 

The OpenGov Student Fellowship is another example of our strategies. The students trained on the use of the Freedom of Information Act(FOI) were empowered with one-off small grants to build Community Action Committees and lead the Citizen Reps from the Committees to visit each of their Area Councils and have as their targets; request and receive a copy of their Area Council’s 2024 Approved Budgets. 

They began their mission in June 2024 and through to the first week of December before four of the Area Councils finally one after the other released their Budgets to the Fellows and their Committees. 

You can view and download AMAC Budget here. We have supported AMAC since 2020 and started engaging with them two years earlier. We supported AMAC and jointly worked to become the first Local Government in Nigeria to join the Open Government Partnership – OGP-Local. Notwithstanding this progress, AMAC has continued to struggle internally to uphold the reforms around open and transparent governance.

Download Gwagwalada Budget here. Gwagwalada joined OGP-Local this year and although showing some level of progress, continued to struggle with easy access to budget documents. 

Download Kuje Budget here and use this link to Download Kwali Budget. Kwali is currently maintaining an active website and is perhaps the only one doing so at the moment in Abuja. Kwali has also joined the OGP-Local. Kuje has expressed interest in joining the OGP, we have supported the Area Council with several tailored training programs and workshops. But up until now, the Area Council continues to hesitate with reluctancy to take action. 

Abaji and Bwari remain the worst in action demonstrations. Getting the four Area Councils to finally release their budgets to the citizens in December appears fruitless, but on the other hand, it is a win. We have learnt so much to do better next year.

This effort is particularly possible through the support of MacArthur Foundation, several sub-grants from Center LSD, BudgIT, Action Aid Nigeria, HEDA Resources  and CODE.

If you know how to support this struggle in whatever capacity, please reach out to us.

Address:
Global Goals Community Center,
No. 1 Q close, Phase 1
Opposite Obana Gwagwalada
Abuja FCT Nigeria.

Phone:
+2348187202309, +2348068403293

E-Mail:
info@dean.com.ng

UNLOCKING TRANSPARENCY: HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 2024 NATIONAL FOI RANKING

/0 Comments/in /by

By: Flourish Oamen

Admin Assistant, DEAN

On September 30, 2024, a vibrant gathering took place at the scenic Pearl Jabi Lake in Abuja, uniting passionate advocates dedicated to championing transparency in Nigeria’s public sector. Organized by a coalition of influential Civil Society Organizations, including the International Center for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), Public Procurement and Due Process (PPDC), budgiT, Accountability Lab, R2K, and the Media Rights Agency, this event was a vital step towards making information access a reality for all Nigerians.

A Quick Dive into the Freedom of Information Act

Kicking off the event, Victoria Etim, representing R2K’s CEO, reminded us of the pivotal moment when the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act was signed into law on May 28, 2011, after a long 12-year wait. This groundbreaking legislation empowers individuals to request information from public institutions—ushering in an era of openness and accountability.

Lucy James Abagi, CEO of PPDC, emphasized the Act’s power: it mandates public institutions to provide requested information unless it falls under specific exemptions. But how well are these institutions living up to their obligations? That’s what the FOI ranking aims to uncover!

Gender Matters: Bridging the Gap

One of the event’s standout discussions was led by Precious Adigwe’s, who shone a light on the crucial role of gender analysis in governance. She argued that integrating gender-sensitive policies is essential for inclusive governance. By examining social norms and disparities, policymakers can craft targeted strategies to ensure everyone has a voice at the table.

Adigwe’s recommendations included:

  • Using gender-sensitive language in communication
  • Encouraging more women to take part in decision-making
  • Training public officials on gender inclusivity

Her insights highlighted that true progress requires a multifaceted approach, ensuring no one is left behind.

The State of FOI Implementation: Challenges Ahead

Despite some promising developments, significant challenges remain. Only Ekiti and Lagos states have fully embraced the FOI Act, leading to frustratingly slow response times for information requests.

Faith Paulinus Williams provided a comprehensive look at the Niger Delta FOI Ranking, unveiling the region’s achievements and hurdles. Key issues identified included:

  • Wide variations in FOI compliance across states
  • Gaps in how information is shared
  • Limited citizen engagement in governance

Williams stressed the need for a collaborative effort among government institutions, civil society, and citizens to boost transparency and accountability.

Assessing Compliance: What We Learned
The FOI ranking event serves as a critical barometer for measuring how well Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) comply with the FOI Act. The evaluation focuses on:

  • Timeliness of responses
  • Completeness and accuracy of information
  • Overall transparency of operations

Muhammad Sani Kassim led a dynamic discussion on enhancing FOI initiatives, sharing insightful recommendations:

  1. Training and Capacity Building: Equip MDAs with the knowledge they need to comply with the FOI Act.
  2. Resource Allocation: Ensure MDAs have the necessary resources to handle requests efficiently.
  3. Public Awareness Campaigns: Launch initiatives to educate citizens about their rights under the FOI Act.
  4. Regular Monitoring: Create a system for ongoing compliance checks to facilitate continuous improvement.

The Impact of FOI Rankings: Why It Matters

The significance of FOI rankings is enormous. Here’s how they impact our society:

  1. Boosting Transparency: By raising awareness, MDAs are increasingly motivated to comply with FOI requests.
  2. Enhancing Accountability: Public rankings hold agencies responsible for their performance, ensuring timely and accurate information delivery.
  3. Encouraging Public Engagement: These rankings empower citizens to actively participate in governance processes, making information a tool for democratic engagement.

Recent evaluations revealed a concerning trend: only 45% of MDAs achieved satisfactory compliance levels, with an average response time of 20 days. Interestingly, agencies with dedicated FOI officers reported a 30% increase in compliance.


Key Takeaways
From the discussions at the event, several important lessons emerged:

  1. Collaboration is Key:Success hinges on partnerships between government agencies, civil society, and citizens.
  2. Capacity Building is Essential: Training public officials is critical for compliance with the FOI Act.
  3. Awareness Drives Action: Informing citizens about their rights can significantly boost engagement and accountability.
  4. Ongoing Monitoring is Vital: Regular assessments can lead to meaningful improvements in transparency practices.
    Call to Action
    As we reflect on these insights, it’s time for all of us: Government institutions, civil society, and citizens to take action. Here’s how you can get involved:
    Advocate for Transparency: Push your local and state governments to adopt and fully implement the FOI Act.
    Engage Your Community: Organize discussions and workshops to spread awareness about the FOI Act and its significance.
    Demand Accountability:Use the FOI rankings to hold MDAs accountable; request information and share your experiences.
    Support Civil Society Efforts: Get involved with organizations that promote access to information and encourage participatory governance.

By working together to champion access to information, we can create a more open and accountable government benefiting all Nigerian.
For more details on previous rankings, check out FOI Vault.

Dissatisfaction Statement: The Federal Government and Ministry of Education Must Prioritize Transformative Skills in Education

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Breaking news of the Federal Government introducing 15 skill acquisition courses into the curriculum for Primary and Junior Secondary schools in Nigeria raises more concern than applause. While on the surface, this initiative seems like progress, it only scratches the surface of what is truly needed for education transformation in this country.

Despite countless campaigns, movements, and even the global Transforming Education Summit, it is disheartening that the Ministry of Education has chosen to focus on skills that do not adequately address the urgent need for 21st-century competencies. While practical skills are valuable, this curriculum is outdated in terms of fostering critical skills such as innovation, technology-driven problem-solving, critical thinking, climate literacy, and entrepreneurial skills that will shape the future of work and societal development.

The Transforming Education Summit echoed the need to overhaul education systems to meet the changing demands of the world, yet the Ministry has seemingly ignored the call for STEM, digital creativity, coding, and sustainability education. These are the pillars upon which young Nigerians can truly compete globally, but the government’s approach continues to limit their potential. How can we prepare young Nigerians for a rapidly evolving global economy with such limited scope?

The government needs to rethink this plan, expand it beyond traditional trades, and bring the curriculum up to date with the realities of today’s world. It’s time to ensure that Nigerian students receive an education that empowers them to thrive in the modern world, not just survive in it.

We demand more forward-thinking strategies and innovative educational reforms that align with global standards and the aspirations of Nigerian youth!

Cited from

AMAC COMES FIRST AGAIN

/0 Comments/in , , /by

By Taiye Ojo

Programs Officer DEAN

The Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), renowned as the first Nigerian Local Government to adopt the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in Nigeria, has yet again taken the lead by becoming the first to release its 2024 budget to the public. Signed and approved by the Executive Chairman, this move highlights AMAC’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in governance.

In recent years, it has become clear that for any local government to be truly transparent, citizens must have full access to budget documents. Despite this, local governments in Nigeria are reluctant to make such information readily available, hindering public trust and participation. Budgets are public documents, and withholding them from citizens is unjustifiable.

To address this gap, we launched the Student Open Gov Challenge, aimed at equipping university students with the skills to advocate for open governance in their communities. Students from the University of Abuja were invited to propose innovative ways to access the budgets of Area Councils within the FCT, with a ₦100,000 grant for the best ideas. Out of the impressive submissions, 30 applicants were selected to pitch their concepts, and six winners emerged, each receiving ₦100,000 to implement their ideas.

In a twist, the competition caught the attention of the Global OGP Comms’ team, and the Student Open Gov Challenge evolved into the Student Open Gov Fellowship. The fellowship not only focused on budget access but also on building skills in advocacy, communication, and community engagement. Fellows participated in a knowledge-sharing session with local government information officers, promoting collaboration and alignment with OGP principles.

Despite their dedication, the fellows faced significant challenges in obtaining budget documents, even from Councils that had committed to OGP. It took over five weeks of follow-up visits to secure AMAC’s budget, with other councils like Gwagwalada and Kwali still withholding theirs. Bureaucratic delays, fear of public scrutiny, and a misguided belief that budgets are “sacred documents” continue to hamper transparency in these councils.

However, AMAC, having acknowledged its earlier lapses, turned a new leaf by releasing its budget. This move not only restores its reputation but also positions it for global opportunities. It serves as a reminder that transparency builds credibility and fosters trust between the government and its citizens.

Key Lessons Learned:

  • For AMAC: Transparency boosts both local and global standing. AMAC’s commitment to OGP reinforces its image as a progressive government ready for international collaboration.
  • For Citizens: Advocacy works. AMAC’s budget release proves that when citizens demand transparency, governments are compelled to respond.
  • For Civil Society Organizations (CSOs): Persistent advocacy is crucial. AMAC’s compliance highlights the power of continuous pressure and partnership in driving government reforms.
  • For Other Area Councils: Following AMAC’s example can strengthen reputations and enhance development partnerships. Withholding budget information only limits growth and erodes public trust.

In conclusion, we acknowledge the support from organizations like CentreLSD, MacArthur Foundation, OGP Global, and OGP Local. As we aim to scale this initiative with the Open Gov Youth Fellowship, we invite potential partners to collaborate with us at Info@dean.com.ng.

Alau Dam Disaster: A Call To Demand Accountability From Government

/0 Comments/in /by

Residents of the North-eastern state of Borno are facing a humanitarian crisis resulting from the collapse of the Alau Dam, which had been at full capacity for a week. The severe flood affected Maiduguri, Damask, Bagga and other local government areas of the state, submerging large portions of areas and displacing thousands.

Some media reports indicate that this situation has left thousands displaced and searching for higher ground. Heavy rainfall across the state has worsened the flooding in Biu, Chibok, Konduga, Bama, Dikwa, and Jere Local Government Areas.

Although floodwaters have begun to recede in some areas, the need for immediate relief remains critical as this is catastrophic, and the worst of such flooding in the northeastern city of Maiduguri in 30 years

This is not the first time the Alau Dam has collapsed and caused devastation. In 1994, heavy rains caused Alau to break, inundating Maiduguri and its surrounding areas. In 2012, the dam broke and flooded communities nearby. 

The number of those affected in 1994 remains unclear, while a government report said multiple flood events across several states in 2012 killed 363 people and displaced 3.8 million.

It is certain that the dam has not been maintained even though funds have been allocated for its maintenance over the years.

According to Foundation for Investigative Journalism, each administration — from Goodluck Jonathan to Muhammadu Buhari and now Bola Ahmed Tinubu — has allocated fresh funds to different rehabilitation exercises on the dam annually. The highest allocations were made under Buhari’s government with N285 million in 2020 and N200 million in 2023.

Over the years, however, it has been unclear if the allocations to the dam were disbursed to the implementing agency or effectively used. For instance, the 2012 budget implementation report noted a 70.59% performance rate but did not specify if the funds were disbursed for the dam’s survey and desilting or otherwise.

A Call To Demand Accountability From Government

The current humanitarian crisis in Borno State is a result of a lack of good governance and a demand for accountability by citizens in the state and Nigeria at large.

One keeps wondering what could have been responsible for the misappropriation of funds allocated for specific important projects such as the Alau Dam maintenance and other projects of such importance and magnitude in Nigeria.

To avoid scenarios like the current happenings in Borno State, there must be accountability at various levels of government and all governments should prioritize it.

This is an opportunity to demand accountability from the government, starting from the grassroots up to the federal level in Nigeria using different platforms to demand effective service delivery by the government. One of such platform is the Open LGA platform where communities at the grassroots can request, report or track projects within their communities, states and regions respectively.

Our prayers are with the people of Borno State, as we call for a demand for accountability by government and public servants in Nigeria.

Photo Credit: Zachariah Yohanna Musa 

Lucy Abagi, Board Member DEAN Appointed as New CEO of Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC)

/0 Comments/in /by

DEAN board member, Lucy Abagi has been appointed the CEO of Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC). Abagi’s appointment marks a new chapter for PPDC, as she brings with her a wealth of experience in public policy development, program management, and fundraising. Before stepping into her new role, Abagi served as the Director of Partnerships and Innovation at PPDC where she successfully led the organization’s business development, innovation hub, and technology teams. Her strategic approach to partnerships and her passion for innovative solutions have been crucial in expanding PPDC’s impact across Nigeria and in re-establishing its presence on the African continent.

Before joining PPDC, Abagi was Director of Programs at Connected Development (CODE), where she spearheaded the renowned “Follow the Money” campaign. This initiative played a pivotal role in securing funding for social impact projects across nine African countries, further showcasing her commitment to driving positive change through effective program management and advocacy.

As PPDC’s new CEO, Abagi is poised to focus on empowering citizens through improved access to justice, innovative storytelling, and digital rights advocacy. She will also build on the solid foundation laid by her predecessor and work towards propelling the organization to new heights of impact.

We congratulate Lucy on her great achievement!

Public Access to Local Government Budget: Improve Informed Participation in Governance.

/0 Comments/in , /by
More Photos

Local Government budgets are more than just numbers; they represent the financial blueprint of local government priorities and expenditures enabling citizens to have access as they are directly affected by the local government decisions. However, accessing these crucial documents has often been a challenge for the general public, especially local communities who are eager to understand how budgetary allocations are expended.

We hosted the head of Information units from the 6 Area Councils in Abuja for a workshop and important knowledge-sharing session focused on improving public access to government budgets, to foster transparency and accountability, highlighting the critical role these documents play in financial governance and civic engagement.

The session which also brought together the OpenGov Student Fellows from the University of Abuja to interface with the head of information unit as they look deep down at the role of public access to budget of each area council and how they affect citizens directly.

The discussion kicked off with a look at existing channels through which the public can access budget information, which include social media, government websites, public libraries, and government offices as identified by Taiye Ojo.
He also encouraged the Information Officers to promote these avenues actively using their roles.

Despite the availability of these platforms, several barriers affect access to information within local communities and were highlighted.
The digital gap between local communities and their local government was also noted as a significant issue, with some communities lacking the necessary online access.

Several practical recommendations were proposed in the course of the workshop:

  1. Capacity development for local communities

2. Increased community sensitizations and educational initiatives

3. Including community workshops and school programs

4. Enhancing understanding and awareness amomg citizens

Furthermore, improving digital infrastructure and providing training in digital literacy were identified as essential steps to bridge the gap for local grassroots communities.

The session concluded with a strong commitment to collaboration between the Student Fellows and Area Councils and Information Officers who provided strategies to access the budgets for each Area Councils. Feedback was shared on the effectiveness of knowledge sharing sessions and how they tend to improve the capacity of local communities indirectly, ensuring that budget information becomes more accessible and understandable for everyone.

This knowledge-sharing session marked a significant approach toward making government budgets more accessible, particularly for the Student Fellows and also local communities in Abuja.

Nigeria LGA Autonomy Struggle: The Story, The Players, The Truth; An Opinion PieceThe Story

/0 Comments/in /by

Local governments are the closest form of government to the people, ideally positioned to address local needs and bring governance to the people due to their closeness to the people. However, the extent of their autonomy often varies significantly across different regions and countries. The struggle for Local Government Autonomy (LGA) in Nigeria has been ongoing since 2019. In 2019, under former President Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit issued a regulation, effective from June 1, 2019, which bans transactions on State and Local Governments Joint Accounts.

The Story

Nigeria’s local governance structures were shaped by its colonial legacy, which left local governments under the control of central or state authorities even after independence. The degree of local government autonomy is defined in Nigeria’s constitution, but efforts to enhance this autonomy have been central to political and social movements. Local governments in Nigeria struggle for financial independence, heavily relying on state and federal allocations. Political interests and power struggles often limit the freedom of local administrations, as local governments are seen as stepping stones for political careers, leading to conflicts over control. The complex interplay between different levels of government in Nigeria creates tensions over jurisdiction and resource allocation. True autonomy for LGAs requires both financial independence and freedom from political interference, enabling local governments to serve their communities effectively.

The Players

The LGA autonomy struggle involves a diverse array of stakeholders, each with their interests and agendas. Local government officials are at the forefront, advocating for greater autonomy to manage local affairs without excessive interference. State governments, often reluctant to cede control, may resist efforts to grant more power to local entities. The federal government plays a crucial role, in the form of policy and laws passed at the national level; constitutional amendments and policy decisions at the federal level can significantly impact LGA. Civil society organizations support the call for LGA autonomy, arguing that it leads to more responsive and accountable governance. International organizations, such as the United Nations and the World Bank, advocate for decentralized governance as part of broader development strategies.

The Truth

The reality of LGA autonomy is complex and multifaceted. The success of LGA initiatives varies widely. At the international level, the Open Governance Partnerships is one of the several initiatives with part of its focus on the autonomy of LGAs, which will lead to transparency, accountability at grassroots levels, and contribute to development and offer a bottom-top solution. Some regions have seen significant progress, while others remain caught in the control battle by state government. Even where legal frameworks support LGA, practical implementation can be hampered by bureaucratic procedures, lack of resources, and political resistance. Studies suggest that greater local autonomy can lead to improved service delivery and development outcomes, as local governments are better positioned to understand and address local needs. Effective LGA requires not just autonomy but also capacity building. Local governments need the skills, knowledge, and resources to manage their affairs effectively. The struggle for LGA is ongoing, with continuous efforts required to push for reforms, implement policies, and build capacity.

The struggle for Local Government Autonomy is a critical aspect of governance in many countries. While significant strides have been made, much work remains to be done. Achieving true LGA requires not only legal and constitutional reforms but also practical measures to build capacity, ensure accountability, and foster political will. By understanding the history, key players, and realities of this struggle, stakeholders can better navigate the complexities and work towards more effective and autonomous local governance.