The Federal Government has taken a significant step towards ensuring financial independence for local governments across Nigeria.
On Monday, August 19, 2024, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, CON, inaugurated a 10-man Inter-Ministerial Committee to enforce the recent Supreme Court judgement that grants financial autonomy to local governments.
The Supreme Court, on July 11, 2024, delivered a landmark judgement affirming the financial autonomy of local governments, a move seen as crucial in enhancing the efficiency and functionality of the grassroots level of government.
The committee, chaired by Senator Akume, includes key figures such as the Hon. Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, among others.
The members of the committee are tasked with ensuring the full implementation of this judgement, thereby enabling local governments to operate without interference from state governments.
This development aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to uphold the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, which acknowledges local governments as the third tier of government.
In his remarks, Senator Akume emphasized the importance of the committee’s work, noting that financial autonomy is vital for local governments to deliver essential services to their communities effectively.
The committee is expected to lay out a clear roadmap for the enforcement of the Supreme Court ruling, ensuring that local governments can manage their funds independently.
This initiative is seen as a pivotal move in strengthening democracy and governance at the local level, empowering local authorities to better serve the needs of their constituents without undue influence from higher tiers of government.
The committee’s formation has been met with optimism by various stakeholders, who believe that it will pave the way for more responsive and accountable governance at the grassroots level.
Reacting to the committee’s composition and its responsibilities, Mrs. Oluwatobiloba Adedayo Aremu, Director of Research and Planning at the Research Center for Integrity Assessment and Evaluation expressed confidence that the committee will fulfill its mandate efficiently, marking a new era of financial autonomy for local governments in Nigeria.
