LASU Journal of Employment Relations and Human Resource Management
(LJERHRM)
ISSN: 2705-3482
Volume 1, No. 1, December 2018
Pages 26-35
DOI: 10.36108/ljerhrm/8102.01.0140
STRUCTURAL CHALLENGES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATIONIN NIGERIA
AFEGBUA, Salami Issa (PhD)1, OSAKEDE, Kehinde Ohiole (PhD)2, NKOMAH, Barry Barisu3
Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Management Sciences, Lagos State University, Ojo Lagos, Nigeria.1
Orthodox University, CWD, United Kingdom2
Lagos State University Ojo, Lagos State, Nigeria3.
Abstract
This paper examined the structural challenges and local government development in Nigeria. Local governments system in Nigeria, has taken different forms from one period to the other. There were series of reforms in the Nigerian local government system aimed at addressing the structural deficiency inherent in the third tier of government in Nigerian federation. Suffice it to say that, the development of local government in Nigeria is almost becoming an illusion as local governments faced with multifarious structural challenges which serve as impediments to its development. The study that relied on secondary data sources through a comprehensive review of relevant literature on the subject of discussion. The paper identified constitutional crises, undue political interference amongst others as major constraints to local government development in Nigeria. The paper submits that there is need to restructure the present local government system in Nigeria by going back to multi-tier local government in the 1950’s. Areas of contribution to its development were also identified and conclude that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should be amended to enable State Governments and the various State Houses of Assembly loosen their firm grip on the local governments in order to allow the local government authorities take initiative that will enhance its growth and development.
Keywords: Decentralization, development, devolution, local government and structure