Nigeria: Falana Demands Accountability for Billions Allocated to Local Govts

What the report says

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has called for stronger accountability in Nigeria’s local government system, accusing state governments of weakening council autonomy and diverting or mismanaging funds meant for grassroots services. He made the remarks at a documentary screening in Lagos of "LG Billions in the Dark," an investigative film focused on local governance in Osun State, where he delivered a keynote on accountability and citizen oversight.

Falana said local governments are supposed to be the tier of government closest to communities, but that political interference, weak elections and non-compliance with court orders have limited their effectiveness. He pointed to the Supreme Court’s July 2024 ruling affirming financial autonomy for local councils, saying public officials must obey judicial decisions and stop withholding funds from democratically elected councils or replacing them with caretaker committees. He also questioned why many communities still show little visible development despite substantial allocations.

He urged Nigerians to demand answers from both local and state authorities, not only the federal government, arguing that basic services such as infrastructure, healthcare and education depend on effective local administration. He also criticized local election practices and said poor governance at the grassroots contributes to public apathy. In remarks at the event, University of Lagos Vice-Chancellor Folasade Ogunsola also called for well-funded, competent and accountable local governments to address urban infrastructure and service-delivery gaps.