Native Authorities and Local Government Reforms in Nigeria Since 1914

Abstract

The paper discusses Native Authorities and Local Government Reforms in Nigeria in historical perspectives i.e. from 1914 to the present day. The reform spans from the colonial period, especially from the 1950s to the Military eras, culminating in the present democratic system of Local Government Administration in Nigeria. The paper also discusses the major aims, objectives, achievements and challenges which confronted the six major reform measures between 1914 and 1999. The methodology adopted for the analysis of the work is the extensive review of relevant and extant literature on the subject matter, while the concept of "Reforms" is employed as an explanatory model. The major findings are that each reform measure was necessitated by the shortcomings inherent in the preceding system; some of the reforms were far reaching and had positive impacts, while others were cosmetic in nature and mainly for political expediency. It was also found out that some of the Local government reforms, however structured and operated were more like decentralized units of the regional and later state governments. The paper recommends among other things the strengthening of local governments in the country, through deliberate and conscious enactment of relevant laws and policy directives, the retention of the present democratic system of Local Government based on presidentialism, the granting of considerable autonomy, especially financial autonomy to enable the third tier institutions in the country to perform their statutory functions effectively. Finally, the paper concludes that since the local government today remains the key institution in local governance, the basic unit of the country's political system, the primary level of grassroots political mobilization, and a major reference point in the distribution by government of certain economic and social goods and services to the people, constant and meaningless reforms should be avoided so that local governments can take root so as to remain stable and viable grassroots institutions.