The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening local governance and ensuring the full implementation of local government autonomy in Nigeria.
Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Rt. Hon. Zephaniah Bitrus Jisalo made this known while formally declaring open the Nigeria Local Government Development Summit held at the U&M Event Centre, Abuja, yesterday.
Represented by the ministry’s permanent secretary, Dr Onwusoro Maduka Ihemelandu, the minister reiterated that his ministry is fully committed to enhancing intergovernmental collaboration to ensure that local government autonomy leads to meaningful development.
Jisalo explained that a strong and effective local government system is the foundation of national progress, adding that the federal government, through his ministry, is ready to support initiatives that strengthen governance at the grassroots in line with the 8-Point Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
With the theme “The Supreme Court Ruling on Local Government Autonomy and the Future of Local Government Administration and Grassroots Development,” the summit convened key stakeholders, including distinguished members of the National Assembly, traditional rulers, local government administrators, and development partners, to, on the impact of the recent Supreme Court judgment affirming financial and administrative autonomy for local governments.
The minister emphasised that the ruling provides an unprecedented opportunity to reshape grassroots governance, ensuring that resources and decision-making power are directly accessible to local authorities. He reiterated the Ministry’s dedication to working with all levels of government to translate the ruling into tangible developmental outcomes.
While highlighting the Ministry’s plans to foster partnerships with local governments, development agencies, and private sector actors to enhance capacity building, infrastructure development, and improved service delivery, Jisalo also called on all stakeholders, including government institutions, civil society organisations, and international partners, to collaborate in advancing policies that empower local governments to fulfil their constitutional mandate.
“Local government autonomy must go beyond policy declarations; it requires deliberate action, strong intergovernmental cooperation, and accountability. This summit presents a crucial platform for exploring practical solutions and forging strategic partnerships that will drive real grassroots development,” he said.
The summit, organised by the Committee on States and Local Government Administration, aims to provide a roadmap for fully implementing local government autonomy in Nigeria. Participants are expected to engage in high-level discussions and formulate strategies to enhance governance at the grassroots level.