[GUEST ACCESS MODE: Data is scrambled or limited to provide examples. Make requests using your API key to unlock full data. Check https://lunarcrush.ai/auth for authentication information.]  oseni rufai [@ruffydfire](/creator/twitter/ruffydfire) on x 1.2M followers Created: 2025-07-21 07:57:49 UTC Nigeria’s local governments, the third tier of governance, are designed to deliver grassroots administration, provide basic services (e.g., roads, water, primary education, and healthcare), and promote local development. However, they face systemic challenges that hinder their effectiveness. Drawing on the context of Nigeria’s electricity sector challenges (e.g., infrastructure deficits, electricity theft, and liquidity issues) and broader governance issues, here are the key reasons why local governments in Nigeria are not working effectively, along with their implications: X. Lack of Financial Autonomy • Constitutional Constraints: The 1999 Constitution (as amended) places local governments under significant state control. Section X and the Fourth Schedule outline their functions, but Section 162(6) mandates that local government funds be channeled through the State-Local Government Joint Account (JAC). Governors often divert these funds, leaving local governments underfunded. • Revenue Dependence: Local governments rely heavily on federal allocations (20.6% of the Federation Account) rather than internally generated revenue (IGR). In 2023, total local government IGR was only ₦258 billion compared to ₦1.93 trillion in federal allocations, per BudgIT. This dependency limits their ability to fund projects like local power distribution or infrastructure maintenance. • Implication: Without financial autonomy, local governments cannot invest in critical services, such as supporting decentralized electricity markets enabled by the Electricity Act 2023, which allows states and local entities to generate and distribute power. X. Political Interference and Lack of Democratic Governance • State Control Over Elections: The Constitution empowers State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) to conduct local government elections, but these are often manipulated by state governors. In 2024, SIECs in states like Kano and Rivers were criticized for rigging elections to favor ruling parties, undermining local democratic accountability. • Caretaker Committees: Many states replace elected local government chairpersons with appointed caretaker committees, which are loyal to governors and lack legitimacy. For example, in 2023, XX states operated with unelected administrators, per the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD). • Implication: Undemocratic local leadership stifles community-driven initiatives, such as partnering with DisCos or the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to address electricity theft (₦100 billion annual loss) or deploy mini-grids. X. Corruption and Mismanagement • Misuse of Funds: Corruption at the local level is rampant, with funds often misappropriated for personal gain or diverted to state priorities. A 2022 EFCC report highlighted cases where local government chairpersons siphoned funds meant for projects like rural electrification or water supply. • Weak Accountability Mechanisms: Oversight bodies like the State Houses of Assembly and local government councils lack the independence or capacity to enforce transparency. This mirrors issues in the power sector, where DisCo under-remittances (74.5% in 2024) and NBET’s ₦4 trillion debt reflect poor financial governance. • Implication: Corruption erodes trust and prevents local governments from addressing grassroots needs, such as supporting metering programs to curb electricity theft (only XXXXX% of customers metered in Q1 2025). X. Limited Administrative Capacity • Low Skilled Workforce: Local governments often lack qualified personnel to manage complex projects like infrastructure development or power distribution. The absence of training programs, unlike those proposed in the Siemens Presidential Power Initiative for engineers, limits their ability to innovate. • Bureaucratic Inefficiency: Overstaffing and low morale, driven by irregular salary payments, hinder service delivery. XXXXX engagements  **Related Topics** [coins healthcare](/topic/coins-healthcare) [Post Link](https://x.com/ruffydfire/status/1947204351275012503)
[GUEST ACCESS MODE: Data is scrambled or limited to provide examples. Make requests using your API key to unlock full data. Check https://lunarcrush.ai/auth for authentication information.]
oseni rufai @ruffydfire on x 1.2M followers
Created: 2025-07-21 07:57:49 UTC
Nigeria’s local governments, the third tier of governance, are designed to deliver grassroots administration, provide basic services (e.g., roads, water, primary education, and healthcare), and promote local development. However, they face systemic challenges that hinder their effectiveness. Drawing on the context of Nigeria’s electricity sector challenges (e.g., infrastructure deficits, electricity theft, and liquidity issues) and broader governance issues, here are the key reasons why local governments in Nigeria are not working effectively, along with their implications: X. Lack of Financial Autonomy • Constitutional Constraints: The 1999 Constitution (as amended) places local governments under significant state control. Section X and the Fourth Schedule outline their functions, but Section 162(6) mandates that local government funds be channeled through the State-Local Government Joint Account (JAC). Governors often divert these funds, leaving local governments underfunded. • Revenue Dependence: Local governments rely heavily on federal allocations (20.6% of the Federation Account) rather than internally generated revenue (IGR). In 2023, total local government IGR was only ₦258 billion compared to ₦1.93 trillion in federal allocations, per BudgIT. This dependency limits their ability to fund projects like local power distribution or infrastructure maintenance. • Implication: Without financial autonomy, local governments cannot invest in critical services, such as supporting decentralized electricity markets enabled by the Electricity Act 2023, which allows states and local entities to generate and distribute power. X. Political Interference and Lack of Democratic Governance • State Control Over Elections: The Constitution empowers State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) to conduct local government elections, but these are often manipulated by state governors. In 2024, SIECs in states like Kano and Rivers were criticized for rigging elections to favor ruling parties, undermining local democratic accountability. • Caretaker Committees: Many states replace elected local government chairpersons with appointed caretaker committees, which are loyal to governors and lack legitimacy. For example, in 2023, XX states operated with unelected administrators, per the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD). • Implication: Undemocratic local leadership stifles community-driven initiatives, such as partnering with DisCos or the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to address electricity theft (₦100 billion annual loss) or deploy mini-grids. X. Corruption and Mismanagement • Misuse of Funds: Corruption at the local level is rampant, with funds often misappropriated for personal gain or diverted to state priorities. A 2022 EFCC report highlighted cases where local government chairpersons siphoned funds meant for projects like rural electrification or water supply. • Weak Accountability Mechanisms: Oversight bodies like the State Houses of Assembly and local government councils lack the independence or capacity to enforce transparency. This mirrors issues in the power sector, where DisCo under-remittances (74.5% in 2024) and NBET’s ₦4 trillion debt reflect poor financial governance. • Implication: Corruption erodes trust and prevents local governments from addressing grassroots needs, such as supporting metering programs to curb electricity theft (only XXXXX% of customers metered in Q1 2025). X. Limited Administrative Capacity • Low Skilled Workforce: Local governments often lack qualified personnel to manage complex projects like infrastructure development or power distribution. The absence of training programs, unlike those proposed in the Siemens Presidential Power Initiative for engineers, limits their ability to innovate. • Bureaucratic Inefficiency: Overstaffing and low morale, driven by irregular salary payments, hinder service delivery.
XXXXX engagements
Related Topics coins healthcare