The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and several federal agencies have revealed that there is no verifiable evidence confirming that local government allocations from the Federation Account reach the councils directly.
The revelation sheds light on the long-standing concerns about financial opacity and lack of autonomy in Nigeria’s local government system, despite constitutional and judicial guarantees of independence.
The disclosure was made in Jos, Plateau State, during a capacity-building workshop on the Local Government Accountability Framework (LGAF) for the 17 Local Government Chairmen in the state. The event was organized by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA).
The workshop brought together major governance and anti-corruption institutions, including the ICPC, Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), and the Federal Ministry of Justice (FMoJ).
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the ICPC, Clifford Oparaodu, expressed concern that despite the Supreme Court’s ruling on full local government autonomy, there remains no standardized system to verify how much councils actually receive.
“When funds are released from the Federation Account, they are channelled through the States Joint Accounts Committees. Many local governments do not know their actual allocations and only accept what is handed to them. This practice makes planning difficult and undermines accountability,” Oparaodu said.
He added that although the ICPC cannot enforce court judgments, it remains deeply concerned about how non-compliance with such rulings weakens grassroots development and transparency. Oparaodu called for stronger cooperation among anti-corruption bodies to ensure public funds are properly utilized for citizens’ benefit.
Similarly, RoLAC Programme Manager, Emmanuel Uche, emphasized that democracy cannot flourish without transparency and accountability. The Coordinator of LGAF, Umar Yakubu, also lamented the continued financial dependence of local governments on state governments.
“There is still no evidence that allocations reach the councils directly. Funds continue to pass through the state–local government joint accounts, giving governors control over how they are spent. Until citizens begin to demand transparency, grassroots development will remain stagnant,” Yakubu stated.
The Federal Ministry of Justice highlighted the relevance of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act in promoting openness, while the BPP noted that more than 60 percent of public funds are spent through procurement—an area vulnerable to corruption if not properly managed.
The FRC reaffirmed that transparency and prudence in managing public funds are constitutional obligations, not optional practices, insisting that fiscal discipline and accountability remain the bedrock of sustainable governance.
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UNILAG to Honour Gov Diri with Professorial Chair and Book Launch on Leadership
By Newsday Reporter
The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has announced plans to honour Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, in recognition of his exemplary, transparent, and inclusive leadership style.
The triple-event ceremony, scheduled for November 5, 2025, at the UNILAG Main Auditorium, will feature the public presentation of a book titled “Leadership Chronicles of Governor Douye Diri,” an International Public Lecture, and the formal launch of a Professorial Chair on Good Governance.
Professor John Oyefara, Managing Director and CEO of UNILAG Consult Limited, made the announcement during a press briefing. He highlighted Governor Diri’s commitment to inclusive governance and his strategic deployment of technology to advance health and education in Bayelsa State.
According to Oyefara, the Professorial Chair is envisioned as an enduring academic legacy dedicated to research, teaching, and policy dialogue that promote the principles of good governance and leadership excellence across Nigeria and Africa.
“The initiative aims to document and preserve lessons of transformational leadership for future generations. Integrity, inclusiveness, and accountability form the foundation of national progress,” Oyefara noted.
He added that the triple event seeks to celebrate and institutionalize Governor Diri’s leadership values, describing him as a visionary leader whose governance model exemplifies technology-driven administration, democratic principles, and unity.
Professor Hope Eghagha, a Distinguished Professor of English at UNILAG and the book’s General Editor, said the event underscores the university’s mission to bridge academia, policy, and leadership in strengthening democratic governance across Africa.
Eghagha commended Governor Diri’s strides in healthcare, youth empowerment, and education, describing Bayelsa as a “model of inclusive governance in the Niger Delta.”
Project consultant, Sola Ojewusi, also highlighted Diri’s innovations in healthcare delivery, notably the use of drones for drug distribution to remote communities—a move that has saved lives and improved access to essential medical services.
The event is expected to attract dignitaries from academia, policymaking, the diplomatic community, and the public sector to discuss the evolving landscape of governance in Africa.
