Analysis of Decentralization and Local Development in Nigeria

Authors

  • Akpomuvire Mukoro Delta State University, Nigeria
  • Irikefe Omamuyovwi Afonughe Delta State University, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59653/pancasila.v3i01.1170

Keywords:

Decentralisation, Development, Devolution, Derivation, Corruption, Local Development, NIgeria

Abstract

Nigeria became administratively divided into many constituent groups, including 774 Local Governments, multiple Local Council Development Areas, 36 states, and a Federal Capital Territory. These were intended to accelerate advancement by reacting to citizen needs, pushing governance nearer to the citizens and citizens nearer to the government to more effectively meet their demands and improve the nation's overall growth. Despite the nation's institutional decentralization, with abundant human and environmental assets readily accessible to growth, the country has significant economic hurdles. This study investigates the relationship between administrative decentralization and development in Nigeria. The study gathered data from secondary sources and researchers' observations of Nigerian government operations. The study indicated that administrative decentralization of functions reduced levels of governance without equivalent funds to carry such jobs and low tax-raising capacities by subunits of government. Some of the explanations for ineffective administrative decentralization in Nigeria include the central government's lack of political will to devolve power to subunits of government properly, the issue of resource control, corruption among decentralized area officials, conflict over the location of administrative headquarters, and failure to integrate diverse groups of decentralized areas. The study concludes that administrative decentralization has not resulted in the desired progress for Nigeria. Therefore, for administrative decentralization to promote development in Nigeria, genuine human engagement must address all of the stated difficulties.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Adefeso, H., & Abioro, T. (2016). Fiscal Decentralisation and Economic Development in Nigeria: The Role of Democratic Institution. Journal of Programming Languages, 9, 1. https://doi.org/10.5539/JPL.V9N1P1

Abuiyada, R., (2018). Traditional development: Theories have failed to address the needs of the majority of people at grassroots levels concerning GAD. International Journal of Business and Social Science, 9(9), 115-119.

Adegbami, A., (2020). Peacebuilding in a disparate federation: Nigeria's experience. Acta Universitatis Danubius Relationes Internationales, 13(1), 59-77.

Adegbami, A. & Kugbayi, O., (2019). Good governance and national development in Nigeria's fourth republic. Gombe Journal of Administration and Management, 2(1), 203-215.

Adegbami, A. & Osungboye, B. M.. (2019). Intergovernmental fiscal relations and state-local development in Nigeria. ABU Journal of Public Administration, 8(1), 75 - 90.

Adegbami, A. & Adepoju, B., (2017). Good Governance in Nigeria: A catalyst to national peace, stability, and development.African Research Review, 11(4), 48, 144-155.

Adegbami, A., (2013). Resource control and revenue allocation problems in Nigeria: Implication for national peace. American International Journal of Research in Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, 3(1), 141-148.

Adeloke, A,, & Kolawole, E., (2022). Decentralization and development from Nigeria's perspective. Journal of Administrative Science, 19 (2), 140-161.

Adewoyin, Y., Sanni, L., & Adeboyejo, A. (2020). Decentralization, jurisdictional spaces and regional development in Nigeria. Human geographies. Journal of Studies and Research in Human Geography. https://doi.org/10.5719/hgeo.2020.142.6.

Adeyemi, O. O., (2012). Corruption and local government administration in Nigeria: A discourse of core issues. European Journal of Sustainable Development,1(2), 183-198

Akpan, N. (2015). Decentralizing rural development practice in Nigeria: The Challenges and opportunities. Humanities and Social Sciences, 3, 185. https://doi.org/10.11648/J.HSS.20150305.14

Atan, J., & Esu, G. (2021). Fiscal decentralization and economic growth in Nigeria: New evidence. Journal of Business and Economic Development. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jbed.20210602.14

Atisa, G., Zemrani, A., & Weiss, M. (2020). Decentralized governments: Local empowerment and sustainable development challenges in Africa. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-020-00722-0

Banfield, E. C., (1979). Corruption as a feature of governmental organization in M. Ekpo, (ed.) bureaucratic corruption in Sub-Saharan Africa: Towards a search for causes and consequences. Lanham, Maryland: University Press of America.

Bardhan, P. (2002). Decentralization of governance and development. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 16(4), 185–205.

Basiru, A., & Adepoju, A., (2019). Nigeria and the African charter on the values and principles of decentralization, local governance and local development: Navigating content, context, issues and prospects. Africanus: Journal of Development Studies. https://doi.org/10.25159/0304-615X/4975.

Blume, L. & Voigt, S. (2008). Federalism and decentralization: A critical survey of frequently used indicators. Joint Discussion Paper Series in Economics No. 21-2008, the Universities of Aachen, Gießen, Göttingen, Kassel, Marburg, and Siegen. Available on https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/6352645.pdf

Borgen Magazine (2020). The poverty capital of the world: Nigeria. Retrieved November 13, 2020, from https://www.borgenmagazine.com/the-poverty-capital-of-the-world-nigeria/#prettyPhoto

Bossert, T. J., (2000). Guidelines for promoting decentralization of health systems in Latin America. LAC health sector reform initiative, Data for decision-making project, Harvard University. Washington, D. C: U.S. Agency for International Development, 12 (23), 34-37

Bunte, J., & Kim, A. (2017). Citizens' Preferences and the Portfolio of Public Goods: Evidence. from Nigeria. World Development, 92, 28-39. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.WORLDDEV.2016.11.008

Carbonera, E. (2000). 'Corruption and decentralization: Bologna: Dipartimento di Scienze Economiche, Università di Bologna.

Commonwealth Governance (2020). National development plan of Nigeria. Retrieved November 13, 2020, from http://www.commonwealthgovernance.org/countries/africa/nationaldevelopment-plan

Crook, R. & Manor, J., (1998). Democracy and decentralization in South Asia and West Africa. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Emmanuel, U., (2019). Development plans and policies in Nigeria: Observed impediments and practical best alternatives. International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation, VI(VII), 2321-2705.

Erk, J., (2014). Federalism and decentralization in Sub-Saharan Africa: Five Patterns of Evolution, Regional & Federal Studies, 24(5), 535-552.

Faguet, J., Fox, A. M. & Poeschl, C. (2014). Does decentralization strengthen or weaken the state? London: Department of International Development, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999). 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Lagos: Federal Government Press.

Rufai, R., Ogunniyi, A., Salman, K., Salawu, M., Olagunju, K., & Ashagidigbi, W. (2020). Has Fiscal Decentralization Influenced the Quality of Life in Sub-Saharan Africa? Empirical Evidence From Nigeria. . https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-49027/v1

Ilemona, S., & Nwite, S. (2022). Taxation in a Decentralized Value Added Tax Regime: Implications for States in Nigeria. Journal of Sustainable Business and Economics. https://doi.org/10.30564/jsbe.v5i3.18

Muhibat, O. (2022). Decentralization and civil service efficiency in Nigeria. Kampala International University Interdisciplinary Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences https://doi.org/10.59568/kijhus-2022-3-1-11

Nkoro, E., & Otto, G. (2023). Fiscal federalism and economic development in Nigeria: An econometric analysis. International Journal of Economic Sciences. https://doi.org/10.52950/es.2023.12.1.007

Ocheni, S., & Agba, M. (2018). Fiscal decentralization, public expenditure management and Human Capital Development in Nigeria. Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 7, 153 - 162. https://doi.org/10.2478/ajis-2018-0016

Ogunnubi, O. (2022). Decentralization and local governance in Nigeria: issues, challenges and prospects. Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance. https://doi.org/10.5130/cjlg.vi27.7935

Okudolo, I., Breakfast, N., & Mekoa, I. (2021). Can national development thrive without the local government's constructive input? Outlook of Nigeria, with lessons for Africa. African Journal of Governance and Development (AJGD). https://doi.org/10.36369/2616-9045/2021/v10i2a3

Siddiquee, N. (2021). Decentralization and Development Theory and Practice in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Journal of Public Administration https://doi.org/10.36609/bjpa.v7i12.262

Ziai, A. (2019). Towards a more critical theory of 'development' in the 21st century. Development and Change. https://doi.org/10.1111/DECH.12484

Downloads

Published

2025-01-01

How to Cite

Mukoro, A., & Afonughe, I. O. (2025). Analysis of Decentralization and Local Development in Nigeria. Pancasila International Journal of Applied Social Science, 3(01), 33–49. https://doi.org/10.59653/pancasila.v3i01.1170