FG establishes 10-member Inter-Ministerial Committee to enforce LG autonomy

By Kunle Sanni

The Federal Government has inaugurated a 10-member Inter-Ministerial Committee to ensure the implementation of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling granting financial autonomy to local governments across Nigeria. The committee, inaugurated on Monday by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, will play a crucial role in enforcing this landmark decision.

The Supreme Court’s ruling, delivered on July 11, 2024, affirmed the financial independence of local governments, a decision widely praised as a significant advancement in strengthening grassroots governance. The newly formed committee is tasked with the vital responsibility of ensuring that this ruling is effectively implemented throughout the country.

The members of the committee are:

1. Secretary to the Government of the Federation – Chairman
2. Hon. Minister of Finance & Coordinating Minister of the Economy – Member
3. Attorney General of the Federation & Minister of Justice – Member
4. Hon. Minister of Budget & Economic Planning – Member
5. Accountant General of the Federation – Member
6. Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria – Member
7. Permanent Secretary (Federal Ministry of Finance) – Member
8. Chairman, Revenue Mobilization Allocation & Fiscal Commission – Member
9. Representative of State Governors – Member
10. Representative of Local Governments – Member

The committee’s primary mandate is to ensure that local governments are granted full financial autonomy, enabling them to function effectively without undue interference from state governments. This move aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to upholding the provisions of the Constitution, which recognizes local governments as the third tier of government.

In a statement issued by Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations, the SGF emphasized that the establishment of this committee marks a critical step towards actualizing the autonomy of local governments, ensuring they have the financial independence necessary to carry out their constitutional duties effectively.

This initiative is seen as a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s democratic evolution, as it seeks to empower local governments to better serve their communities and drive development at the grassroots level.