News
RMAFC Advocates Full Autonomy for Local Governments, Thumbs FG

Joel Ajayi
The Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has advocated for full autonomy for Local Government Councils (“LGCs”) in the country just as it backs the Federal Government in its ongoing efforts to free LGCs from the firm control of State Governments through legal means by giving effect to the provisions of the Constitution.
The RMAFC Chairman, Mr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, in a statement, signed by the Head, of Information and Public Relations Maryam Umar Yusuf revealed that LGCs, as the third tier of government domesticated at the grassroots level, ought to be outside the control of State and Federal governments as they are solely established to ensure effective governance at the grassroots.
The Constitution of Nigeria recognizes federal, state, and local governments as three tiers of government and that the three recognized tiers of government draw funds for their operation and function from the Federation Account created by the Constitution
Mr. Shehu decried State governments’ dominance over the affairs of LGCs which emasculate their political, administrative, and fiscal independence hence their inability to provide quality service delivery in infrastructure and social services to the grassroots as provided for in the Constitution.
He noted that the political control of LGCs has made it virtually difficult and almost impossible for the masses to decide who becomes their leaders at that level of governance, which is closest to the people.
The statement added that the Commission thinks that giving full autonomy to LGCs will reduce the rate of poverty and rural-urban migration, and bring more dividends of democracy to the people just as it will attract more qualified candidates for council elections that will improve the governance system at all levels in the long run.
“Full autonomy will engender good governance, transparency, and accountability at the local level. Security challenges like banditry, kidnappings, terrorism, electoral violence, etc, would be reduced to the barest minimum if the quantum of funds meant for local governments is channeled towards rural development.”
He added. “This will raise agricultural productivity, increase income generation, arrest rural-urban migration, create wealth, and generally improve the socio-economic living conditions of the rural populace”.
The Chairman posited that the current spate of insecurity in all parts of the country could be arrested if LGCs are granted full autonomy as local government administration being the closest level of government for effective participation of the teeming population of the country in its governance system would avail the local population greater independence to determine their development needs.
Mr. Shehu emphasized the importance of granting full autonomy to LGCs, allowing them to recruit, manage staff, raise finances, make bylaws, and discharge their functions without State government interference, thereby ensuring their full bureaucratic autonomy.
“Financial autonomy of local government entails the freedom to impose local taxation, generate revenue within its assigned sources, allocate its financial and material resources, determine and authorize its annual budgets without external interference. It also relates to the disposition of tax powers, retention of revenue, and methods adopted in sharing centrally collected revenue per the constitutional responsibilities of all levels of government”. He maintained.
The Chairman further said, “It is worth noting that the Constitution has made it explicitly clear that there must be a democratically elected local government system in place and that the Constitution has not made provisions for any other systems of governance at the Local Government level other than democratically elected local government system”
It is the position of the RMAFC that Local Governments should be granted fiscal autonomy by paying statutory allocations from the Federation Account directly to their coffers.
The Commission therefore fully supports the ongoing suit instituted by the Federal Government asking for an order permitting the funds standing in the credits of local governments to be directly channeled to them from the Federation Account.
He stressed that RMAFC would continue to be a strategic partner in the efforts to reposition local government councils to discharge their constitutional responsibilities in Nigeria, calling on CSOs and the media to be at the forefront of efforts to ensure that local government autonomy becomes a reality in Nigeria.
News
FG Inaugurates Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit in Youth Ministry

The Federal Government has inaugurated the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, in collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Speaking at the inauguration, the Permanent Secretary, represented by the Director of Education and Youth Development (EYD), Mr. Kabir Mohammad, described the event as a significant milestone in the Ministry’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance.
He expressed gratitude to the ICPC for its guidance and support in establishing the unit, acknowledging the dedication and hard work of the Ministry’s staff in making this initiative a reality since its separation from the Ministry of Sports.
“To the newly inaugurated members of the ACTU, I charge you to discharge your duties with integrity, professionalism, and commitment to excellence. Your role is critical in ensuring that our Ministry operates with transparency, accountability, and integrity,” Mr. Mohammad stated.He also urged Heads of Departments and Units to collaborate with the ACTU, particularly on integrity and compliance matters, noting that these areas are crucial to the annual performance evaluation of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in alignment with ICPC principles.
In his goodwill message, Mr. Olusegun Adigun, representing the ICPC Chairman, emphasized the importance of the ACTU in advancing the Ministry’s vision.
“Aligned with the Ministry’s vision of empowering Nigerian youth to succeed in all fields of life through dedication, unity of purpose, and commitment to national development, the ACTU will serve as a strategic instrument to support the Ministry in achieving its objectives through its mandated duties,” Mr. Adigun stated.
He further advised the Ministry’s leadership to create an enabling environment for the ACTU by granting it representation in standing committees, in accordance with the government circular Ref No: OHCSF/SPSO/CSTD/314, dated October 5, 2016.
-
Featured6 years ago
Lampard Names New Chelsea Manager
-
Featured5 years ago
FG To Extends Lockdown In FCT, Lagos Ogun states For 7days
-
Featured6 years ago
NYSC Dismisses Report Of DG’s Plan To Islamize Benue Orientation Camp
-
Featured5 years ago
Children Custody: Court Adjourns Mike Ezuruonye, Wife’s Case To April 7
-
Featured3 years ago
Transfer Saga: How Mikel Obi Refused to compensate me After I Linked Him Worth $4m Deal In Kuwait SC – Okafor
-
Sports2 years ago
TINUBU LAMBAST DELE MOMODU
-
News3 months ago
Zulu to Super Eagles B team, President Tinubu is happy with you
-
Featured5 years ago
Board urges FG to establish one-stop rehabilitation centres in 6 geopolitical zones