The Federal Government has inaugurated a 10-member Inter-Ministerial Committee aimed at enforcing the Supreme Court’s ruling that grants financial autonomy to local governments.
This initiative, led by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, is a response to the Supreme Court’s July 11, 2024, judgment, which declared that local governments must operate independently from state governments.
The committee includes key figures such as the Minister of Finance, the Attorney General, and representatives from the Central Bank and local governments.
Its primary objective is to ensure that local government funds are directly allocated from the Federation Account, bypassing state governors who have historically controlled these funds.
This move aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening governance at the grassroots level and ensuring that local governments function effectively.
The Supreme Court ruling emphasized that any local government administered by caretaker committees, rather than elected officials, is unconstitutional.
The establishment of this committee marks a significant step towards enhancing local governance in Nigeria, promoting accountability, and fostering socio-economic development at the local level