Local Government and Democratic Governance in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic

要旨

Local government ensures that the basic needs of the citizens at the grassroots level are adequately provided for. It also provides a mechanism through which local, human, material, and economics resources are effectively utilized for development purposes. Hence, local government in Nigeria has not performed up to expectation owning to the act that resident population is denied the benefits of its existence. Therefore, this study examines the trajectory of local government operations in Nigeria with special emphasis on the fourth republic. The research method employed is qualitative technique of data collection through the content analysis of official record and a considerable review of related literatures. Therefore, the findings from the study reveals that, development and effective services provision have not thrived at the grassroots level due to the culture of corruption, financial incapability, undue interference of by state and among others. The study therefore recommends that, there is need to review the Constitution so as to make Local Government autonomous especially in the areas of fiscal power, functions and responsibilities.