Title: Analysis Of Decentralization And Local Development In Nigeria
Authors: Prof. MUKORO Akpomuvire, AFONUGHE Irikefe Omamuyovwi,
Volume: 8
Issue: 11
Pages: 135-145
Publication Date: 2024/11/28
Abstract:
Nigeria became administratively divided into many constituent groups, including 774 Local Governments, multiple Local Council Development Areas, 36 states, and a Federal Capital Territory. These were intended to accelerate advancement by reacting to citizen needs, pushing governance nearer to the citizens, and citizens nearer to the government, to more effectively meet their demands and improve the nation's overall growth. Despite the nation's institutional decentralisation, with abundant human and environmental assets readily accessible to growth, the country has significant economic hurdles. This study investigates the relationship between administrative decentralisation and development in Nigeria. The study gathered data from secondary sources as well as researchers' observations of Nigerian government operations. The study indicated that administrative decentralisation of functions reduced levels of governance without equivalent funds to carry such jobs; and low tax-raising capacities by subunits of government; Some of the explanations for ineffective administrative decentralisation in Nigeria include the central government's lack of political will to properly devolve power to subunits of government, the issue of resource control, corruption among decentralised area officials, conflict over the location of administrative headquarters, and failure to integrate diverse groups of decentralised areas. The study concludes that administrative decentralisation has not resulted in the desired progress for Nigeria. Therefore, for administrative decentralisation to promote development in Nigeria, there must be genuine human engagement to address all of the stated difficulties.