LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTONOMY

his study examines the impact of fiscal federalism and revenue allocation on local government autonomy, using Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State as a case study. Despite the constitutional recognition of three tiers of government, Nigeria's centralized fiscal framework often undermines the financial and administrative independence of local councils. The study specifically explored how the concentration of revenue powers and the operation of the State Local Government Joint Account (JAC) affect the developmental capacity of Oredo LGA. Adopting a descriptive research design, the study utilized a sample of 150 staff members from the Oredo Local Government Council, selected through stratified random sampling. Data collected via structured questionnaires were analyzed using mean scores, standard deviation, and Chi-Square statistical tests. The findings reveal that Nigeria's current fiscal federalism significantly limits the financial autonomy of Oredo LGA, as heavy reliance on statutory allocations and state-level interference through the JAC system disrupts budget implementation and service delivery. Furthermore, the council faces internal challenges in revenue generation, including technological gaps and low tax compliance. The study concludes that without genuine fiscal independence, local governments remain administrative appendages of the state rather than effective agents of grassroots development. Consequently, it is recommended that the federal government implement direct statutory allocations to local councils to bypass the bottlenecks of the Joint Account. Additionally, the study suggests strengthening legal safeguards for local autonomy and investing in modern technology to enhance internally generated revenue, thereby ensuring sustainable development and improved public service delivery at the grassroots level.

This study examines the relationship between local government autonomy and socioeconomic development in Nigeria, using Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State as a case study. The research emphasis the vital role of local governments in promoting grassroots development. Despite this, local governments in Nigeria have often been constrained by excessive interference from higher tiers of government, particularly in financial, administrative, and political matters. Such interference has weakened their capacity to function effectively and to implement developmental programs tailored to local needs. This study adopts a descriptive survey research design to assess the extent to which local government autonomy influences socioeconomic development in Oredo Local Government Area. The findings reveal that granting full financial, administrative, and political autonomy to local governments is crucial for enhancing service delivery and achieving sustainable development. The conclusion drawn by this research is that genuine local government autonomy is important and of necessity for effective grassroots governance and recommends that both federal and state governments should provide the necessary constitutional and institutional support to ensure full autonomy for local governments across Nigeria as this would enhance socio economic development at the grassroots and the country as a whole.