Governors Maintain Control Over Local Government Funds

Twenty-six months after the Supreme Court's ruling in July 2024 that affirmed financial autonomy for Nigeria's 774 local government councils, governors are still exerting control over council finances, undermining grassroots development and contributing to insecurity. Aliyu Haruna Kankara, President-General of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and National Treasurer of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), stated that no local government in Nigeria is currently receiving funds directly from the Federation Account, which he described as a violation of the Supreme Court judgment.

Kankara emphasized the need for the federal government to implement the ruling, which was intended to strengthen local governance and end state control over local council funds. He noted that NULGE has reached out to federal authorities, including the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Finance, to enforce the judgment.

While acknowledging some political progress, Kankara pointed out that caretaker committees are no longer operating in the states due to the federal government's decision to withhold allocations from non-compliant states.