In a decisive move to reinforce local governance, the Federal Government has inaugurated an Inter-Ministerial Committee tasked with enforcing the Supreme Court judgment that grants financial autonomy to local governments in Nigeria. Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, who inaugurated the committee in Abuja on Tuesday, stated, “The primary goal of this committee is to ensure that local government councils are granted full autonomy.”
Akume emphasized that the committee’s mandate is to guarantee that local government councils operate independently, free from interference by state governments. “This initiative is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to upholding the Constitution, which recognizes local governments as the third tier of government,” Akume noted, highlighting the importance of effective governance at the grassroots level.
The committee, chaired by the SGF, includes key government figures such as the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning. Other members include the Accountant General of the Federation, the Central Bank Governor, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, and the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation & Fiscal Commission. Representatives from state governors and local governments are also part of this strategic team.
The SGF underscored the significance of the committee’s work, stating, “This move is crucial for ensuring that local governments can function effectively and serve the people without undue constraints.”
