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Landmark Supreme Court Judgement Secures Autonomy for Local Governments in Nigeria

In a major victory for grassroots development, the Supreme Court of Nigeria has affirmed the financial autonomy of 774 local governments in the country. The landmark judgement, which was announced on July 11, 2024, is a significant step towards promoting transparency and accountability in local governance.

According to Muhammed Shehu, chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), the Supreme Court’s decision is a “landmark achievement” that will benefit both the commission and the grassroots in Nigeria. Shehu praised President Bola Tinubu for his efforts in ensuring the judgement was achieved, describing them as “remarkable and thoughtful”.

The RMAFC chairman made the commendation while addressing members of the board and management staff of the commission at a sensitisation meeting in Abuja. He recalled the prestige attached to the position of local government chairman and the impactful contributions of council chairmen to grassroots development in the past.

The RMAFC is solidly behind the Supreme Court’s decision, which enforces the law on local government autonomy. The commission believes that this development is positive for Nigeria, as it will promote democratic governance and improve service delivery at the grassroots level.

Mohammed Abdul, a legal consultant to the commission, urged other tiers of government to adhere to the ruling, emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability in local governance. The secretary to the commission, Nwaze Okechukwu, assured that the commission would uphold the rule of law and ensure the principles of local government autonomy were fully implemented, in line with the Supreme Court’s directives.

The affirmation of local government autonomy is a significant milestone in Nigeria’s democratic journey, as it acknowledges the critical role that local governments play in delivering services to citizens. The RMAFC’s commitment to upholding the Supreme Court’s decision is a positive step towards promoting good governance and ensuring that the principles of local government autonomy are fully implemented.

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