An Overview of Local Government Autonomy and its Functions in Nigeria

Once any country adopts a federal system of government it is taken for granted that there is division of powers among the levels of government, with a written constitution specifying the division, and the coordinate relationships among the levels. This paper attempts to reflect on the level of autonomy enjoyed by the local governments in Nigeria within the context of the classical theory of federalism with a view to drawing lessons for the future. The study relies heavenly on secondary sources for its data. It is established that the practice of local government in the country shows a departure from the position of the classical theory possibly because of the prolonged military rule and undemocratic attitude of the state governors who treat that level of government as an extension of their states.