15/11/2025
A COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF A PUBLIC LECTURE ORGANIZED BY AFRICA CENTER FOR TRANSPARENCY AND ANTI-CORRUPTION ADVOCACY (AFRIC-TAAD) HELD AT AMERICAN SPACES, MURTALA MUHAMMAD LIBERARY, KANO STATE ON SATURDAY 15TH NOVEMBER, 2025.
Preamble
The Africa Center for Transparency and Anti-Corruption Advocacy (AFRIC-TAAD) convened a public lecture today on “The Future of Local Government in Nigeria: Balancing Autonomy with Transparency and Accountability.” The event brought together stakeholders from government institutions, civil society, youth organizations, and community groups to deliberate on strengthening local governance in Nigeria.
In attendance were the Hon. Commissioner Ministry for public Procurement project Monitoring and Evaluation who was ably represented by the Director Local Government Infrastructure, Engr, Abdullahi basher, the Executive Chairman kano state Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission who was ably represented by the Commission’s Local Government Coordinator, Ibrahim M. Dahiru Gezawa, Executive Director FIDAC, Executive Director Mufarka Youth Development Initiatives, Executive Director YOSPIS, other Civil Society Activists, community-based Organizations, Youths and Students groups and State Coordinator Arewa Ambassadors Forum.
Keynote Presentation
The keynote paper was delivered by Dr. Abdussalam Kani,on “THE FUTURE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT; BALANCING THE AUTONOMY WITH TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY”. The presentation cantered around:
- The importance and challenges of balancing autonomy with transparency and accountability
-Pillars of balanced local governance
-Lessons from global and local models
-A call to action for building the future of Nigeria’s local government system
He emphasized that “From Kenya’s performance-based allocations to the Philippines’ citizen transparency boards and Kaduna’s open-budgeting model, we see a common truth — autonomy flourishes only when anchored on transparency and accountability.” He concluded by stressing that good governance is built gradually through openness, civic engagement, and measurable performance.
Two distinguished discussants enriched the discourse:
Nura Muhammad Ahmad, Esq., Executive Director, Mufarka Youth Development Initiative – focused on legal and constitutional provisions supporting local government autonomy and their relevance in curbing corruption.
Zainab Nasir Ahmad, Executive Director, Youth Society for the Prevention of Infectious Diseases and Social Vices – emphasized the critical role of citizens and communities in ensuring transparency, monitoring public spending, and holding local leaders accountable.
Interactive Session:
An engaging question-and-answer session followed, where participants posed insightful questions to the keynote speaker and discussants. All questions were addressed diligently.
Key Issues and Recommendations:
Throughout the presentations, comments, and discussions, the following recommendations emerged:
1. Governance, Transparency & Accountability:
Autonomy flourishes only when anchored on transparency and accountability.
Good governance is built through openness, civic engagement, and measurable performance.
Demand transparency and accountability for every kobo spent at the local level.
Sensitize citizens at the grassroots on tracking and reporting local government expenditure.
Institutionalize annual Citizens’ Accountability Reports (CAR) across all LGAs.
Publish annual LGA budgets and procurement records.
Establish Local Public Accounts Committees (LPACs).
Advocate for annual MTEF and MTRT exercises across LGAs.
Stop unnecessary political appointments that increase governance costs.
Prioritize community-based projects across all wards.
Roll out computerized budget-tracking and performance-monitoring systems.
Introduce software for HR, payroll, and budgeting at the LGA level.
Build capacity of LGAs in planning, finance, and digital governance.
2. Legal, Constitutional & Fiscal Reforms
Despite the Supreme Court judgment on LGA autonomy, direct access to funds remains elusive.
Institutionalize direct funding of LG accounts.
FAAC should publish monthly LGA allocations in national dailies.
EFCC and ICPC should mandate LGAs to submit monthly revenue and expenditure reports.
NFIU should enforce its 1st July 2019 guidelines on LGA financial autonomy.
All FG interventions/grants/bailouts to LGAs should be sent directly without intermediaries.
Repeal State–LGA Joint Revenue Administration Laws to enable LGAs collect their IGR independently.
In line with Section 162(7) of the 1999 Constitution, states should remit a portion of their IGR to LGAs.
Suspend all illegal State–LGA joint projects and contributions.
Stop state-level interference in LGA budgetary resource allocation.
Make laws preventing LG Chairmen from handing revenue collection to cronies without due process.
Adopt the National Chart of Accounts (NCoA) across all 774 LGAs.
3. Efficiency, Resource Management & Development
Create a dedicated platform for publishing LGA budgets.
All constituency projects should be executed under full LGA supervision to prevent duplication and waste.
Invest LGA funds in viable ventures that generate revenue.
Conduct forensic audits to eliminate ghost workers.
Identify all LGA-owned properties and investments and put them to effective use.
Stop new employment and redeploy under-utilized staff instead.
Launch locally tailored development plans across all LGAs.
Conclusion
Autonomy grants local governments the freedom to act; transparency earns them the trust to lead; and accountability secures their right to endure.
AFRIC-TAAD appreciates all participants, institutions, and partners for their commitment to strengthening local governance in Nigeria. The organization reaffirms its dedication to ensuring transparency, accountability, and citizen-centered governance at the grassroots.
NAJIBULLAHI DANJUMA MUSA
Executive Director, AFRIC-TAAD
