The Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening local governance and ensuring the full implementation of local government autonomy in Nigeria.
Speaking at the Nigeria Local Government Development Summit in Abuja, Minister Rt. Hon. Zaphaniah Bitrus Jisalo emphasized the importance of the recent Supreme Court ruling affirming financial and administrative autonomy for local governments.
Delivering a goodwill message at the opening of the two-day summit, themed “The Supreme Court Ruling on Local Government Autonomy and the Future of Local Government Administration and Grassroots Development,” Jisalo noted that the forum brings together key stakeholders, including members of the National Assembly, traditional rulers, local government administrators, and development partners, to deliberate on the ruling’s impact.
Supreme Court Ruling: A Turning Point for Local Governance
Dr. Onwusoro Maduka Ihemelandu, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties, speaking on behalf of the minister, described the ruling as an unprecedented opportunity to reshape grassroots governance, ensuring that resources and decision-making powers are directly accessible to local authorities.
He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to translating the ruling into tangible development outcomes and fostering a more effective and accountable local government system.
> “Our Ministry is fully committed to enhancing intergovernmental collaboration to ensure that local government autonomy leads to meaningful development. A strong and effective local government system is the foundation of national progress, and we stand 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.”
Strengthening Governance at the Grassroots
Dr. Ihemelandu outlined plans to establish strategic partnerships with local governments, development agencies, and the private sector to enhance:
Capacity building
Infrastructure development
Improved service delivery
He further called on government institutions, civil society organizations, and international partners to collaborate in advancing policies that empower local governments to fulfill 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 added.
A Roadmap for Local Government Autonomy
The summit, organized by the Committee on States and Local Government Administration, aims to chart a roadmap for the full implementation of local government autonomy in Nigeria. Participants are expected to engage in high-level discussions and develop strategies to enhance governance at the grassroots level.
The Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs reaffirmed its unwavering support for strengthening local governance and ensuring that autonomy translates into improved service delivery and sustainable development for all Nigerians.
