Local Government Autonomy in Nigeria: Implications for Quality Service Delivery at the Grassroots LevelLocal Government Autonomy in Nigeria: Implications for Quality Service Delivery at the Grassroots Level

Abstract

Local government (LG) is the third tier of government that is domesticated at the grassroots level outside the State and Federal governments. LGs are established to ensure effective governance at the local level. Nigeria adopted federal system that envisages autonomy for every level of government. Contrarily, there has been the issue of LG inability to ensure the provision of quality infrastructural and developmental projects, its inability to initiate, implement and execute projects at the localities according to constitutional provisions. All these are attributed to the state government dominance of the affairs of LGs. As such, this paper intends to x-ray the implications of local government autonomy to quality service delivery on the grassroots populace, especially in the areas of political, administrative and fiscal autonomy. We considered Systems theory as apt for this paper. Methodologically, qualitative approach was used. Extant literatures were conceptually and empirically reviewed. Conclusively, we observed significant low service delivery hugely linked to lack of LGs autonomy. To this extent we recommend that LGs should be granted autonomy in order to enhance effectiveness, efficiency and quality service delivery to the people at the grassroots.