Opinion

The Oracle: Local Government Autonomy As a Panacea for National Development (Pt. 5)

Published

4 years ago

February 11, 2022

Eric

By Mike Ozekhome

INTRODUCTION

Today, we shall conclude our discourse on the above issue. Nigeria practices a decentralized form of government whereby power is devolved from the centre to governments at the states and local governments for effective governance and enhanced national development. It is difficult for a single arm of government to run a country, especially one with a very vast expanse of land and large population such as Nigeria. The United Nations’ projected Nigeria’s population to be 211,040,308, as at 6^th of May, 2021. With a total land mass area of approximately 923,768 square kilometers, Nigeria is the 32^nd largest country in the world, following Russia (1^st), Canada (2^nd), China (3^rd), USA (4^th), Brazil (5^th), Australia (6^th), India (7^th), DR Congo (11^th), Niger (22^nd), Angola (23^rd), Mali (24^th), South Africa (25^th), Ethiopia (27^th), Mauritania (29^th), Egypt (30^th), Tanzania (31^st). Such a heavily populated country with such vast expanse of land ought to seize the autonomy of LGs to the grassroots people.

It is thus perplexing that rather than encourage local governments to engage more in the governance and development of Nigeria, State governments stultify them and arrogate the powers of local governments to themselves. They seize funds meant for LGs at source and leave them barely enough to pay salary. Meanwhile, the Federal Government simply watches like an innocent bystander. A panacea to remedy the insignificant contributions of local governments to national development is therefore urgently needed. Devolving power to local governments under a deliberate policy of devolution and decentralization is key to ensuring that citizens feel the impact of this tier of government more easily as compared to a situation where only a central government exists in name.

The local governments’ total dependence on their State counterparts contributes to the ineffectiveness of this system of government. They thus become only shadows of government and mere ghost environments. It can thus be safely stated that the major challenge bedeviling the operation of local governments and which hinders their significance in making contributions to national development is their lack of autonomy.

Decongesting a behemoth Federal Government of its over concentrated powers would free national leaders from onerous duties and unnecessary involvement in local affairs. It will increase the people’s awareness, understanding and enable them give support to social and economic development activities in their areas. It will also contribute largely to the betterment of the social and economic development of the local population. People at the grassroots will thereby have full knowledge of the art and science of government, governance and matters concerning the autonomy of Local Government, all of which strengthen national unity.

For local governments to play a significant role in national development, they need to be completely autonomous in terms of revenue allocation and funding, which they presently lack. Section 162(3) of the CFRN, 1999, provides for the distribution of revenue in Nigeria, thus:

“Any amount standing to the credit of the Federation Account shall be distributed among the Federal and State Governments and the Local Government Councils in each State on such terms and in such manner as may be prescribed by the National Assembly.”

In compliance thereto, section 1 of the Allocation of Revenue (Federation Account, etc) Act, LFN, 2004, provides:

“The amount standing to the credit of the Federation Account…in accordance with the Constitution shall, be distributed…on the following basis, that is to say –

The Federal Government – 56.00 per cent;
The State Governments – 24.00 per cent;
The Local Government Councils – 20.00 per cent”.

Evidently, the division of the revenue in the Federation account is however shared in such a bizarre manner that the entire 774 LGCs in Nigeria are allocated a miserly ratio in the share of the country’s revenue. A single Federal Government receives a whopping 56%; the 36 State and the FCT Governments receive 24%; and the entire 774 local governments share a mere 20%. This is made even lower as some State Governments still deduct at source and retain the allocation meant for local governments. This is also irrespective of the fact that the functions of the local governments are numerous and that they are actually in charge of most sources of revenue generation in the country. No State generates any revenue except through LGCs.

For a local government to have true autonomy, financial autonomy must be accorded it. There is the need for better policies for tax and distribution of public funds for the good of the people. The sharing formula of the Federation Account should be amended immediately during the ongoing constitutional review exercise to give Local Governments greater funding to perform their functions and promote local and national development. Local governments should also be given direct access to their allocated revenue and be put in direct charge of local government funds, rather than through the State. This will go a long way to ensure their autonomy and also bring about grassroots development.

CONCLUSION

There is no doubt that the existence and autonomy of the Local Government system are a necessary pre-condition for national development. Local Governments, by the in-built limitations in the Constitution, remain ignored entities, necessitating their compelled interaction with and submission to other tiers of government within the federal system. Their lack of autonomy has exposed the duplicity and lack of sincerity of the decentralization theory of Nigerian federalism. The country is currently operated more as a unitary system of Government, rather than a federal one. The following recommendations are therefore proposed with a view to remedying the above observed anomalities.

SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS

MORE FUNDING FOR LGCs

There shall be more and adequate funding for Local Governments. This is a necessary step to ensuring the contribution of local governments in grassroots and national development. The improvement in statutory allocation to Local Government Councils will enable them have strong economic base, which will in turn promote even development and stability of the nation. Equally, State governments must abide by their limitations under the CFRN, 1999, by paying 10%of internally generated revenue to their respective local governments, as this will foster socio-economic development of the local population in a more realistic and lasting approach. Neither the States, nor the Federal Government can generate revenue except from resources found within the LGCs in States. The Federal Government shall set up a public fact-finding panel or Commission of Enquiry to investigate states’ use Local Governments’ funds in the past 10 years, with a view to forestalling misappropriation. State Governments who are in default shall be sanctioned.

RECOGNISE LGCs AS UNITS OF LOCAL ADMINISTRATION

There shall be a total re-organisation of the Local Government System in Nigeria through an amendment of the CFRN, 1999 (particularly sections 7, 162 and 197(1) thereof). The various State Independence Electoral Commissions shall continue to oversee elections into local government positions. There is the need to recognise local governments as local units of the federation; though not as federating units.

SCRAP THE STATE LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT ACCOUNT

The controversial and much abused State-Local Government Joint Account shall immediately be scrapped under section 162(5) (8) of the CFRN, and replaced by a new regime of fiscal federalism where LGCs have direct access to their share from the Federation Account; and thus freed from the clutches and apron strings of State Governors.

LGCs SHALL ENSURE ACCOUNTABILITY AND FISCAL DISCIPLINE

There shall be strict accountability and discipline on the part of the local governments as to how their funds and internally generated revenue are earned and spent for the total benefit of its citizens.

CREATE OFFICE OF AUDITOR-GENERAL FOR LGCs

The Office of the Auditor General for Local Governments shall be constitutionally guaranteed, just as the Federal and State Governments have their own Auditors-General.

ACCORD CONSTITUTIONAL RECOGNITION TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICE COMMISSION

The Local Government Service Commission shall be strengthened and accorded constitutional recognition.

UPGRADE MINIMUM QUALIFICATION FOR OFFICIALS OF LGCs

The minimum qualifications for eligibility to seek office as a local government chairperson shall be reviewed to a minimum of Bachelor’s Degree, HND or their equivalent. Qualified persons shall be screened for elections so as to prevent situations of yes-men and Governor’s bootlickers being put in power.

ACCORD FULL AUTONOMY TO LGCs

It is necessary for the Constitution to recognize Nigeria as a two tier system of government, but with specific provisions to compel State Governments to allocate a stated percentage of its revenue to the LGCs. They shall no longer be made appendages of State Governments. Full fiscal and administrative autonomy shall be granted to Local Governments by the Constitution, not as federating units, but as entities nearest to the people. LGs in Nigeria need adequate autonomy that facilitates their operations and the development of their localities. There shall be institutionalized democratic process of elections for representatives of LGCs as and when due. This is in line with what obtains at the State and Federal Government levels where elections are periodically and timeously conducted. Adequate autonomy shall therefore be manifestly accorded local governments in all areas, such as finance, revenue generation and expenditure, personnel administration and development matters.

THERE SHALL BE NO INTERFERENCE BY STATE GOVERNMENTS IN LGCs ALLOCATIONS AND REVENUES

State governments shall totally eliminate all forms of interference with LGCs’ revenue from the federation account. Also, local governments must work hard to shore-up their autonomy themselves through more Internal Revenue Generation (IRG). This recommendation is in line with the 1987 Political Bureau Report of Nigeria. This ensures that the citizenry has a better stake in governance and be more sensitive to governmental activities and developmental efforts. This, in turn, would encourage local governments to engage in more people-oriented development of the localities through enhanced transparency.

LGCs SHALL ELECT LEADERS IMBUED WITH INTERGRITY AND PATRIOTISM

There shall be a shifted approach in the operational leadership level in the local governments which should be patriotic, dynamic and pragmatic, with vision and ideas, thus making the leadership imbued with quality, content, dignity, character and honour. This in turn, would promote meaningful expectations, effectiveness and efficiency in identifying and achieving goals and objectives of the local governments.

LGCs MUST ESCHEW CORRUPTION

A great deal of corruption in Nigeria occurs within LGCs. This shall be properly addressed by the appropriate institutions, including the ICPC and EFCC. Corruption shall be excised and exorcised from the local government system by emphasizing hard-work, discipline and transparency. These are necessary ingredients for development. Discipline and transparence in governance help to eliminate corruption as there is a symbiotic relationship between corruption, discipline, transparency and rule of law. Corruption will thereby be drastically reduced, if not completely eliminated.

FUN TIMES

“No native doctor is among the world’s first 200,000 richest men yet, you go to them for wealth! Is your sense paining you
? – Anonymous.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

“The real cost of corruption in government, whether it is local, state, or federal, is a loss of the public trust”. (Mike Quigley).

Opinion

How Dr. Fatima Ibrahim Hamza (PT, mNSP) Became Kano’s Healthcare Star and a Model for African Women in Leadership

Published

4 days ago

December 6, 2025

Eric

By Dr. Sani Sa’idu Baba

My dear country men and women, over the years, I have been opportune to watch numerous speeches delivered by outstanding women shaping the global health sector especially those within Africa. Back home, I have also listened to towering figures like Dr. Hadiza Galadanci, the renowned O&G consultant whose passion for healthcare reform continues to inspire many. Even more closer home, there is Dr. Fatima Ibrahim Hamza, my classmate and colleague. Anyone who knew her from the beginning would remember a hardworking young woman who left no stone unturned in her pursuit of excellence. Today, she stands tall as one of the most powerful illustrations of what African women in leadership can achieve when brilliance, discipline, and integrity are brought together.

Before I dwell into the main business for this week, let me make this serious confession. If you are a regular traveler within Nigeria like myself, especially in the last two years, you will agree that no state currently matches Kano in healthcare delivery and institutional sophistication. This transformation is not accidental. It is the result of a coordinated, disciplined, and visionary ecosystem of leadership enabled by Kano State Governor, Engr Abba Kabir Yusuf. From the strategic drive of the Hospitals Management Board under the meticulous leadership of Dr. Mansur Nagoda, to the policy direction and oversight provided by the Ministry of Health led by the ever committed Dr. Abubakar Labaran, and the groundbreaking reforms championed by the Kano State Primary Health Care Management Board under the highly cerebral Professor Salisu Ahmed Ibrahim, the former Private Health Institution Management Agency (PHIMA) boss, a man who embodies competence, hard work, honesty, and principle, the progress of Kano’s health sector becomes easy to understand. With such a strong leadership backbone, it is no surprise that individuals like Dr. Fatima Ibrahim Hamza is thriving and redefining what effective healthcare leadership looks like in Nigeria.

Across the world, from top medical institutions to global leadership arenas, one truth echoes unmistakably: when women lead with vision, systems transform. Their leadership is rarely about theatrics or force; it is about empathy, innovation, discipline, and a capacity to drive change from the inside out. Kano State has, in recent years, witnessed this truth firsthand through the extraordinary work of Dr. Fatima at Sheikh Muhammad Jidda General Hospital.

In less than 2 years, Dr. Fatima has emerged as a phenomenon within Kano’s healthcare landscape. As the youngest hospital director in the state, she has demonstrated a style of leadership that mirrors the excellence seen in celebrated female leaders worldwide, women who inspire not by occupying space, but by redefining it. Her performance has earned her two high level commendations. First, a recognition by the Head of Service following a rigorous independent assessment of her achievements, and more recently, a formal commendation letter from the Hospitals Management Board acknowledging her professionalism, discipline, and transformative impact.

These acknowledgements are far more than administrative gestures, they place her in the company of women leaders whose influence reshaped nations: New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern with her empathy driven governance, Liberia’s Ellen Johnson Sirleaf with her courageous reforms, and Germany’s Angela Merkel with her disciplined, steady leadership. Dr. Fatima belongs to this esteemed lineage of women who do not wait for change, they create it.

What sets her apart is her ability to merge vision with structure, compassion with competence, and humility with bold ambition. Staff members describe her as firm yet accessible, warm yet uncompromising on standards, traits that embody the modern leadership model the world is steadily embracing. Under her stewardship, Sheikh Jidda General Hospital has transformed from a routine public facility into an institution of possibility, demonstrating what happens when a capable woman is given the opportunity to lead without constraint.

The recent commendation letter from the Hospitals Management Board captures this evolution clearly: “Dr. Fatima has strengthened administrative coordination, improved patient care, elevated professional standards, and fostered a hospital environment where excellence has become the norm rather than the exception”. These outcomes are remarkable in a system that often battles bureaucratic bottlenecks and infrastructural limitations. Her work is proof that effective leadership especially in health must be visionary, intentional, and rooted in integrity.

In a period when global discourse places increasing emphasis on the importance of women in leadership particularly in healthcare, Dr. Fatima stands as a living testament to what is possible. She has demonstrated that leadership is never about gender, but capacity, clarity of purpose, and the willingness to serve with unwavering commitment.

Her rise sends a powerful message to young girls across Nigeria and Africa: that excellence has no gender boundaries. It is a call to institutions to trust and empower competent women. And it is a reminder to society that progress accelerates when leadership is guided by competence rather than stereotypes.

As Kano continues its journey toward comprehensive healthcare reform, Dr. Fatima represents a new chapter, one where leadership is defined not by age or gender, but by impact, innovation, and measurable progress. She is, without question, one of the most compelling examples of modern African women in leadership today.

May her story continue to enlighten, inspire, and redefine what African women can, and will achieve when given the opportunity to lead.

Dr. Baba writes from Kano, and can be reached via drssbaba@yahoo.com

Opinion

Book Review: Against the Odds by Dozy Mmobuosi

Published

6 days ago

December 4, 2025

Eric

By Sola Ojewusi

Against the Odds is an ambitious, deeply personal, and unflinchingly honest memoir that traces the remarkable rise of Dozy Mmobuosi, one of Nigeria’s most dynamic and controversial entrepreneurs. In this sweeping narrative, Mmobuosi reveals not just the public milestones of his career, but the intimate struggles, internal battles, and defining moments that shaped his identity and worldview.

The book is both a personal testimony and a broader commentary on leadership, innovation, and Africa’s future—and it succeeds in balancing these worlds with surprising emotional clarity.

A Candid Portrait of Beginnings

Mmobuosi’s story begins in the bustling, unpredictable ecosystem of Lagos, where early challenges served as the furnace that forged his ambitions. The memoir details the circumstances of his upbringing, the value systems passed down from family, and the early encounters that sparked his desire to build solutions at scale.

These foundational chapters do important work: they humanize the protagonist. Readers meet a young Dozy not as a business figurehead, but as a Nigerian navigating complex social, financial, and personal realities—realities that millions of Africans will find familiar.

The Making of an Entrepreneur

As the narrative progresses, the memoir transitions into the defining phase of Mmobuosi’s business evolution. Here, he walks readers through the origins of his earliest ventures and the relentless curiosity that led him to operate across multiple industries—fintech, agri-tech, telecoms, AI, healthcare, consumer goods, and beyond.

What is striking is the pattern of calculated risk-taking. Mmobuosi positions himself as someone unafraid to venture into uncharted territory, even when the cost of failure is steep. His explanations offer readers valuable insights into:
• market intuition
• the psychology of entrepreneurship
• the sacrifices required to build at scale
• the emotional and operational toll of high-growth ventures

These passages make the book not only readable but instructive—especially for emerging

African entrepreneurs.

Triumphs, Crises, and Public Scrutiny
One of the book’s most compelling strengths is its willingness to confront controversy head-on.

Mmobuosi addresses periods of intense scrutiny, institutional pressure, and personal trials.

Instead of glossing over these chapters, he uses them to illustrate the complexities of building businesses in emerging markets and navigating public perception.

The tone is reflective rather than defensive, inviting readers to consider the thin line between innovation and misunderstanding in environments where the rules are still being written.

This vulnerability is where the memoir finds its emotional resonance.

A Vision for Africa

Beyond personal history, Against the Odds expands into a passionate manifesto for African transformation. Mmobuosi articulates a vision of a continent whose young population, natural resources, and intellectual capital position it not as a follower, but a potential leader in global innovation.

He challenges outdated narratives about Africa’s dependency, instead advocating for
homegrown technology, supply chain sovereignty, inclusive economic systems, and investment in human capital.

For development strategists, policymakers, and visionaries, these sections elevate the work from memoir to thought leadership.

The Writing: Accessible, Engaging, and Purposeful

Stylistically, the memoir is direct and approachable. Mmobuosi writes with clarity and intention, blending storytelling with reflection in a way that keeps the momentum steady. The pacing is effective: the book moves seamlessly from personal anecdotes to business lessons, from introspection to bold declarations.

Despite its business-heavy subject matter, the prose remains accessible to everyday readers.

The emotional honesty, in particular, will appeal to those who appreciate memoirs that feel lived rather than curated.

Why This Book Matters

Against the Odds arrives at a critical moment for Africa’s socioeconomic trajectory. As global attention shifts toward African innovation, the need for authentic narratives from those building within the system becomes essential.

Mmobuosi’s memoir offers:
• a case study in resilience
• an insider’s perspective on entrepreneurship in frontier markets
• a meditation on reputation, legacy, and leadership
• a rallying cry for African ambition

For readers like Sola Ojewusi, whose work intersects with media, policy, leadership, and social development, this book offers profound insight into the human stories driving Africa’s new generation of builders.

Final Verdict

Against the Odds is more than a success story—it is a layered, introspective, and timely work that captures the pressures and possibilities of modern African enterprise. It challenges stereotypes, raises important questions about leadership and impact, and ultimately delivers a narrative of persistence that audiences across the world will find relatable.

It is an essential read for anyone interested in the future of African innovation, the personal realities behind public leadership, and the enduring power of vision and resilience

Opinion

Redefining Self-leadership: Henry Ukazu As a Model

Published

7 days ago

December 3, 2025

Eric

By Abdulakeem Sodeeq SULYMAN

In a world filled with talents and unique gifts, nurturing oneself for an impact-filled living becomes one of the potent metrics for assuming how one’s life would unfold – either in the nearest or far future. I am sure the question you may be curious to ask is ‘what is the important quality that has shaped the life of every individual who has unleashed their ingenuity?’ Apparently, our society is filled with numerous people, who missed the track of their life. Their iniquity is boiled down to one thing – failure to lead oneself.

Realising how important it is to be your own leader has been the springboard for every transformative life. Notably, this also becomes the premise for appreciating and celebrating Henry Ukazu for setting the pace and modeling self-leadership in this era, where self-leadership is under-appreciated by our people. Self-leadership itself engineers purposeful and impactful living, turning individuals to sources of hope to others.

This is exactly what Henry Ukazu symbolises. The name Henry Ukazu is akin to many great things such as ‘Unleashing One’s Destiny,’ ‘Finding One’s Purpose’ and ‘Triumphant Living.’ Regardless of the impression one have formed about Henry Ukazu, one thing you cannot deny is his ability to be pure to nature and committed to his cause. Henry Ukazu is one of the rare people who still believed in the values of the human worth and has committed every penny of his to ensure that every human deserves to live the best life.

The trajectory of Henry Ukazu’s life is convincing enough to be choosing as an icon by anyone who chooses to climb the ladder of self-leadership. Oftentimes, Henry Ukazu always narrate how he faced the storms of life when birthing his purpose. He takes honour in his struggles, knowing full well that every stumbling blocks life throws at him helped in building himself. If not for self-leadership, he will not found honours in his struggles, let alone challenging himself to be an example of purposeful living to others.

Without mincing words, Henry Ukazu’s life has been blessed with the presence of many people, with some filling his life with disappointments, while some blessing him with immeasurable transformations. Surprisingly, Henry Ukazu has never chosen to be treating people negatively; rather he would only choose the path of honour by avoiding drama and let common sense prevail. That’s one of the height of simplicity!

Dear readers, do you know why today is important for celebrating Henry Ukazu? Today, 3rd December, is his birthday and with all sincerity, Henry Ukazu deserves to be celebrated because he has chosen the noble path, one filled with honours and recognitions for being an icon of inspiration and transformation to the mankind. As Henry Ukazu marks another year today, may the good Lord continue shielding him from all evils and guiding him in right directions, where posterity will feel his role and impacts!

Many happy returns, Sir!