Functional Local Government Autonomy in Nigeria: Thesis for a Community Participation Model
Aderogba, Ademola Asimiyu , and Arafat Opeyemi Aderogba
Senior Lecturer, Department of General Studies, Lagos State University of Science and Technology, Ikorodu, Nigeria.
Ph.D. Student, Department of Political Science, Lagos State University, Ojo, Nigeria
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Abstract
The paper focuses on how local government autonomy can be effective and efficient. Recent research findings indicate that local governments in Nigeria are not productive, not efficient and not effective because of lack of autonomy, be it financial, administrative or political autonomy. Hence, there is a need to examine the deficiencies in the operation of local governments, and come up with a process model that can enhance functional local government autonomy. Therefore, relying on Descriptive Analysis method and Democratic Participation theoretical framework, the study examines how community participation in governance can be an impetus to achieve the objectives of autonomy, and proposes a Community Participation Model, as a way to strengthen an autonomous local government performance, otherwise, full autonomy will achieve nothing with the present state of local governments in Nigeria. The model further illustrates how the Community Development Associations can participate in governance to ensure that the planning, implementation, and evaluation represent the grassroots felt-need. The study recommends the following to actualise the functionality of the model: constitutional reforms to restore local government autonomy, enabling laws mandating the creation of Community Development Associations in all parts of Nigeria; and the States governments granting special fund to strengthen the operation of the Community Development Associations.
Keywords: Autonomy, Community Development Association, Community Participation, Local
Cite This Article
APA 7th Style
Aderogba, A. A., & Aderogba, A. O. (2023). Functional Local Government Autonomy in Nigeria: Thesis for a Community Participation Model. Shodh Sari-An International Multidisciplinary Journal, 02(02), 300–318. https://doi.org/10.59231/SARI7588
MLA 9th Edition
Aderogba, Ademola Asimiyu, and Arafat Opeyemi Aderogba. “Functional Local Government Autonomy in Nigeria: Thesis for a Community Participation Model.” Shodh Sari-An International Multidisciplinary Journal, vol. 02, no. 02, Apr. 2023, pp. 300–18. https://doi.org/10.59231/SARI7588.
Chicago Style
Aderogba, Ademola Asimiyu, and Arafat Opeyemi Aderogba. “Functional Local Government Autonomy in Nigeria: Thesis for a Community Participation Model.” Shodh Sari-An International Multidisciplinary Journal 02, no. 02 (April 20, 2023): 300–318. https://doi.org/10.59231/SARI7588.
Impact Statement
Elections into the center or federal offices have become do or die affairs in Nigeria because of the concentration of power at the center. The sub national governments at the local level are weak and near irrelevant, hence, the desperation of the political actors at the center. Thus, the focus on autonomy is to strengthen the sub national governments at the local level in Nigeria. According to the report of UNDP, United Nations (UN) Human Development Index 2021, Nigeria ranked 163rd for the second consecutive year, with HDI score of 0.535. Hence, focus must be on strengthening grassroots development through the local government that is closer to the people. Proposing a model that can address the peculiarities of Nigeria challenges at local level will be impactful.
About The Author
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Dr Ademola Aderogba holds Ph.D in Public Administration, with research interest in public policy, local government, and rural development. He has authored and co-authored publications in both national and international journals. He is a Senior Lecturer, and presently the Dean of students affairs, at the Lagos state university of science and technology; formerly Lagos state polytechnic where he was a Chief lecturer and the Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship before the transmutation.
2. Miss Arafat Aderogba holds Msc in Political science and Bsc in International relations and presently a Ph.D student with research interest in peace building, gender studies, and sustainable development.
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