Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Local Government/Governance System in Nigeria

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Nigerian Politics

Abstract

Nigeria is federal system with three layers or tiers of government. The local government councils occupy the lowest place in the structure. The local government has gone through series of transformations to make its operations modern, efficient and productive. However, despite all efforts at making local governance efficient, the system has been incapable of achieving the goals of establishing it. The blame is partly attributed to the under interference of the state government which very often turn local government to a more or less `another ministry’ that must be controlled for it’s own good to the detriment of local administration and the people at the grassroots.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Abdullahi, D. and Mahuta, M. M. (2012), Local Governments Creation and the Prospects of Area Development Board in Nigeria. Developing Country Studies, 2(10). Pp. 41-47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Abe, G. O. (2010), “Governance Reforms in Ekiti State, Nigeria 2001-2007”. PhD Thesis submitted to the Department of Political Science, University of Ibadan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Adamolekun L (1983). Public administration: A Nigerian and comparative perspective. London: Longman.

    Google Scholar 

  • Adamolekun, L. (2002). Public Administration in Africa. Lagos: Spectrum Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Adamolekun, L. (1990). Decentralization Politics in sub-Saharan Africa: An overview. In Adamolekun, L. Robert, L. and Laleye, N. (Eds.), Decentralization Policies and Socioeconomic Development in Sub-Saharan Africa. Washington DC: World Bank

    Google Scholar 

  • Agagu, A. A. (1998). The Changing Phases of the Nigerian Civil Service. In Kolawole, D (Ed.), Issues in Nigerian Government and Politics. Ibadan: Dekaal Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Agagu, A.A. (1997). Local Government. In Kolawole, D. (Ed.), Readings in Political Science. Lagos: Bolabay Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Agagu, A.A. (1999). Theory and Practice of Public Administration. University of Ado-Ekiti: Ado-Ekiti.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aghayere V. O. (1997). Dominant Issues in the Nigerian Local Government System: A Contemporary Focus. Lagos: Imprint Services.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aiyede, E R. (2004) ‘Constitutional and Institutional Basis of Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) in Nigeria,’ in Egwaikhide, F. O., Aiyede, E. R., Bejamin, S. A., Dlakwa, H. D. & Ikelegbe, A. (eds) Intergovernmental Relations in Nigeria. Ibadan: John Archers (publishers) Limited.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ajayi, K. (2003). Trends in Local Government Administration in Nigeria. In Ajayi, K. (Ed.), Theory and Practice of Local Government. University of Ado-Ekiti: Ado-Ekiti.

    Google Scholar 

  • Akpan, N. U. (1967). Epitaph to Indirect Rule: A Discourse on Local Government in Nigeria. London: Frank Cass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aluko, S. O. (2006). Corruption in the Local Government System in Nigeria. Ibadan, Oluben Printers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Apata, Z.O, Yemi A. (2011). Creation of New Local Government in Kogi State: Problems and Prospects - West Yagha and Ijumu examples. Lagos, Crestill Publishers Ltd

    Google Scholar 

  • Appadorai, A. (1975) The Substance of Politics. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ayeni, V. and Olowu, D. (1988). The Politics of Revenue Allocation and Inter-Governmental Relations. In Ayeni, V. and Soremekun, K. (Eds.), Nigeria’s Second Republic: Presidentialism, Politics and Administration in a Developing State. Lagos: Daily Times.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bamidele, G. (2011). The Role of Local Government in Federal Systems. http://newsdiaryonline.com/bamidele_council.htm Accessed on 4/4/2013.

  • Bello-Imam, I. B. (1983). Local Government Structure in Britain and Nigeria: A Study of Structural Evolution, NISER Monograph Series No. 12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bello-Imam, I.B. (1996), Local Government in Nigeria: Evolving a Third Tier of Government. Ibadan: Heinemann Educational Books (Nigeria) Plc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blair, H (1995) “Assessing Democratic Decentralization”, ACIDE Concept paper, USAID: Washington DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blair, H. (1998). Spreading Power to the Periphery: An Assessment of Democratic Local Governance. USAID: Washington DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Centre for Democracy and Governance (1998) Handbook of Democracy and Governance Program Indicators, Perspective: Theory and Practice in Development (USAID) Washington DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, J. and Petersons, S. (1996) Methodological Issues in the Analysis of Decentralization Development Discussion paper No. 555, Harvard Institute of International Development, Cambridge: Mass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coleman, J.S. (1986), Nigeria: Background to Nationalism, Benin City: Broburg and Wiston.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crook, R.C. and Monor, J. (1998) Democracy and Decentralization in South Asia and West Africa: Participation, Accountability and performance, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Danjuma A. (2012). Good governance as panacea to socio-economic crises in Nigeria. IOSR journal of Business and Management (IOSR JBM), volume 2, issue 3. www.ISORjournals.org.

  • Ekpe, A. N. (2012). Transparency and Accountability in Local Government Administration in Nigeria. African Education Indices, 1(1), 180-190.

    Google Scholar 

  • Enemuo, F. C. (1999). Decentralization and Local Government: Models, Principled and Purpose. In Anifowose, R. and Enemuo, F. C. (Eds.), Elements of Politics. Lagos: Malthouse Press Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Enemuo, F. C. (2000). Problems and Prospects of Local Governance. In Hyden, G., Olowu, D. and Ogendo, H. (Eds.), African Perspective of Governance. Trenton/Asmara: African World Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Essien, E. (2010), Nigeria under Structural Adjustment. Ibadan: Fountain Publication.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ezeani, E. O. (2006). Fundamentals of Public Administration. Enugu: Snaap Press Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferguson, I. and Chandrasekharan, C. (2004). Paths and Pitfalls for Decentralization for Sustainable Forest Management: Experiences of the Asia-Pacific Region. In Colfer, C. and Capistrano, D. (Eds.), A New Vision for the State (and how it is working out in forests). CIFOR, Bogor.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fischer, F. (2000). Citizens, Experts and the Environment: The Politics of Local Knowledge. Duke University Press:Durham.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • FRN. (1976). Guidelines for Local Government Reforms. Kaduna: Government Printer.

    Google Scholar 

  • FRN (1979) The 1979 Constitution. Daily Times Press Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • FRN. (1988a). Implementation Guidelines on the Civil Service Reforms. Lagos: Government Printer.

    Google Scholar 

  • FRN. (1988b). Supplementary Implementation Guidelines on the Civil Service Reforms. Lagos: Government Printer.

    Google Scholar 

  • FRN. (1999). Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Lagos Government Printer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fukasaku, K. and De Mello, L. (1999) Fiscal Decentralization in emerging Economic, governance Issues, Paris: OECD, Development Centre.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gaventa, J. and Valderrama, C. (1999). Participation, Citizenship and Local Governance. Sussex: Institute of Development Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gboyega, A. (1987). Political Values and Local Government in Nigeria. Lagos: Malthouse Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gboyega, A. (1988). Local Government and the Democratic Process. In Ayeni, V. and Soremekun, K. (Eds) Nigeria’s Second Republic: Presidentialism, Politics and Administration in a Developing State. Lagos: Daily Times.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gboyega, A. (2003). Democracy and Development: The Imperative of Local Governance, Ibadan: Vantage Publishers Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gboyega, A. (2003a). Local Autonomy in Federal Polities: The Nigerian Local Government System in Historical Perspective. In Gana, A.T. and Egwu, S. G. (Eds) Federalism in Africa. Vol. Two: The Imperative of Democratic Development, Eritrea, Africa World Press Inc. Trenton

    Google Scholar 

  • Gboyega, A. (2003b) Democracy and Development: The Imperative of Local Governance, Ibadan: Vantage Publishers Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gboyega, A. Ogunsanya, M. and Okunade, B. (1988). An Evolution of the Liberalization of Funding and Administration of Primary Education in Nigeria as a result of SAP, Ibadan: NISER/SSCN National Research Network on Liberalization Policy in Nigeria.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gramberger, M. (2001). Citizens as Partners: DECD Handbook on Information, Consultation and Public Participation in Policy-making, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

    Google Scholar 

  • Grindle, M. (2000) Audacious Reforms: Institutional Invention and Democracy in Latin America, Johns Hopkins University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hadenuis, A. (2001) Institutions and Democratic Citizenship, Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Igbuzor, O. (2003). Local Government Reform and Constitutional Review in Nigeria. http://nigeria-local-government.blogspot.com/2009/01/local-government-reform-and.html. Assessed on 29/5/2013.

  • Keay, E.A. and Thomas, H. (1977). West African Government for Nigerian Students. London: Hutchinson and Co. Publishers Limited.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khalil, S. & Adelabu, S.A. (2012). Fiscal Planning and Local Government Administration in Nigeria: The Quest for Sustainable Rural Development. African Journal of Business Management, 6(9), 3482-3489.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khan, M.H. (2002). Corruption and Governance in Early Capitalism: World Bank Strategies and their Limitations. In Pincus, J. & Winters, J. (Eds) Reinventing the world Bank. Cornell University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khemani, S. (2001). Fiscal Federalism and Service Delivery in Nigeria: The Role of States and Local Governments. Paper prepared for the Nigerian PER Steering Committee.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klugman, J. (1994). Decentralization: A Survey Literature from a Human Development Perspective, UNDP Occasional paper 13. hdr.undp.org/docs/publications/ocational_papers/oc13g.htm

  • Lawson, P.S. (2011). Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution and Intergovernmental Relations (IGR): The Need for Improvement. Ozean Journal of Social Sciences 4(3). Pp. 199-205.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lijphart, A. (1997) Democracy in Plural Societies, Yale University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Manor, J. (1999) The Political Economy of Democratic Decentralization, Washington DC. World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nasir, A. (2012). Local governments: The missing tire of government, Nigeria village square. http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com. Assessed on 11/6/2013.

  • Ola RF (1984). Local administration in Nigeria. London: Kegan Paul International.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olowu, D. (2000). Stalled Decentralization Reforms: The Nigerian Case and Lessons for Other African Countries. In Adedeji, A. & Ayo, B. (Eds.), People-Centred Democracy in Nigeria? The Search for Alternative Systems of Governance at the Grassroots. Ibadan: Heinemann Educational Books (Nigeria) Plc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Omotoso, F. (2000) ‘The changing phases of Local Government in Nigeria,’ in Ajayi, K. (ed), Theory and Practice of Local Government, Ado-Ekiti: Department of Political Science, University of Ado-Ekiti.

    Google Scholar 

  • Opeskin, BR (2001). Mechanisms for Intergovernmental Relations. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1468-2451.00301

    Google Scholar 

  • Orewa, G. O. and Adewunmi, J.B. (1981) Local Government Finance in Nigeria: Problems and Prospects, Benin City: Ethiope Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Osamani, S. R. (2001). Participatory Governance, People’s empowerment and Poverty Reduction, http://www.undp.org/seped/publications/cont/pub.htm

  • Oviasuyi, P. O., Idada, W. and Isiraojie, L. (2010). Constraints of Local Government Administration in Nigeria. Journal of Social Sciences, 24(2). .81-86

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rondinelli, D. (1981). Government Decentralization in Comparative Perspective: Theory and Practice in Developing Countries. International Review of Administrative Sciences, XLVII(2). Pp. 137-148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rondinelli, D. and Nellis, J. R. (1986). Assessing Decentralization Policies in Developing Countries: The Case For Cautious Optimism. Development Policy Review 4. Pp. 41-56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rondinelli, D. et al. (1987). Decentralization of Public Service in Develop0ing Countries: A Framework for Policy Analysis and Implementation. Working paper in Decentralization in Developing Country Series. Research Triangle Institute: Research Triangle Park, N.C.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott-Herridge, R. (2003) Decentralization – Does it Deliver Good Governance and Improved Services? The Experience of Uganda, African Studies Centre: Occasional paper series, No. 10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shah, A. (1998). “Fostering Fiscally Responsive and Accountable Governance: Lessons from Decentralization”, in Picciotto, R. and Wiesner, E. (eds) Evaluation and Development. The Institutional dimension. New Brunswick: Transaction Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smoke, P. (1994). Local Government finance in Developing countries: The Case of Kenya, Nairobi: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Suwondo, K. (2002.) Decentralization in Indonesia: paper prepared for international Non-government Organization forum on Indonesia Development Annual Advocacy. www.infid.be/infid%20background%202002%decentralization.pdf

  • Tukur, M. (1999) Leadership and Governance in Nigeria. The Relevance of Values. London: Holder and Stoughton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ugwu, S. C. (2002). Issues in Local Government and Urban Administration in Nigeria. Enugu: Echrisi and Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • United Nations Global Forum (1996) Local Governance: Report of the United Nations Global forum on Innovative Practices in Local Governance.

    Google Scholar 

  • Western Region of Nigeria (1955). Sessional Paper No. 1 of 1955, Ibadan.

    Google Scholar 

  • World Bank (1999) World Development Report 1999/2000: entering the 21st Century: The changing Development Landscape, London/New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, G. (2013). The Politics of Local Government Reforms and Democratic Governance in Nigerian Local Governments. Developing Country Studies, 3 (1). Pp. 136-143.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wraith, R. (1972). Local Administration in West Africa. London: George Allen and Unwin Limited.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wunsch, J. (2001) Decentralization, Local Governance and the Democratic Transition in Southern Africa: A comparative Analysis, African Studies Quarterly. http://web.africa.ufl.edu/asq/v2i192.htm

  • Yahaya, A.D. (1980), The Native Authority System in Northern Nigeria, Zaria: Ahmadu Bello University Press.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Political Science, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria

    Toyin Abe & Femi Omotoso

Authors
  1. Toyin Abe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Femi Omotoso
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Political Science, Federal University Lokoja, Ido - Ekiti, Nigeria

    Rotimi Ajayi

  2. Department of Political Science, Federal University Lokoja, Lokoja, Nigeria

    Joseph Yinka Fashagba

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2021 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Abe, T., Omotoso, F. (2021). Local Government/Governance System in Nigeria. In: Ajayi, R., Fashagba, J.Y. (eds) Nigerian Politics. Advances in African Economic, Social and Political Development. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-50509-7_9

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation