Paper short abstract:

The trajectories of a paradoxical constitutional mandate for basic service provision by Local Governments in Nigeria also entangle them in a financial and political dependency on state governments. T his presentation highlights how the situation deepens urban dysfunctionality in Nigerian cities.

Paper long abstract:

There are seven hundred and seventy-four Local Governments in Nigeria, operating as the third tier of governance below the state and federal government. Spread across the country’s 36 states and federal capital territory, their constitutional duties are uniform and sources of revenue, similar. The core functions of local governments are defined in the Fourth Schedule of Nigeria's Constitution to include the provision of basic services such as pre-schools, primary and adult education, primary care and health protection, town planning functions, roads and transportation, refuse collection and disposal, cemeteries, environmental protection, sports, leisure space, and religious facilities. These are recognizably critical to urban functionality and well-being. However, the states are, in practice, primarily carrying out these functions. This happens because not only are states constitutionally responsible for initiating the creation of local governments, but they also have constitutional oversights over local government elections. Critically, funding of local governments from Nigeria’s Federation Account is managed by the state governments through the ‘State Joint Local Government Account’. State governments are therefore in a very powerful position that has relegated local governments and impacted on urban service provision. While Local Governments regularly demand for re-structuring of the system, the paradox of constitutionally mandated duties and electoral, fiscal, and administrative dependency on the states has created political tensions and clientelism that perpetuates abysmal performance and lack of access to basic services in urban areas. Citizens’ demand for good governance can be a tool to drive transformational change.