The Federal Government of Nigeria has established a ten-member Inter-Ministerial Committee to implement the Supreme Court’s July 11, 2024 ruling, which grants financial independence to local governments across the country.
This development was announced on Tuesday in Abuja by Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).
The committee, chaired by Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), is tasked with ensuring the full autonomy of local governments, enabling them to function without interference from state governments. This initiative is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to uphold the Constitution’s provisions recognizing local governments as the third tier of government.
Members of the committee include key figures such as the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Minister of Justice, and representatives from the State Governors.
This step signifies a move towards strengthening local governance and enhancing the ability of local governments to operate independently, thus contributing to Nigeria’s overall development and governance structure.
