The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has urged President Bola Tinubu to push for genuine local government autonomy, arguing that devolving power and resources to local councils is essential to deepen democracy and improve service delivery across the federation.
Speaking at a policy forum attended by labour leaders and local government officials, the NULGE national leadership warned that continued centralisation of funds and administrative control undermines grassroots governance and robs communities of critical decision-making power. The union called for constitutional and fiscal reforms that would secure independent revenue streams for local governments, including direct federal allocations and the activation of a statutory local government revenue framework.
The union highlighted how empowered local governments are better positioned to deliver primary healthcare, basic education, and emergency responses — services that citizens rely on daily. “When councils are starved of funds and autonomy, our democracy becomes hollow. Local governments are closer to the people; they must be equipped,” a top NULGE official said.
NULGE also demanded that the president work with the National Assembly and the governors to fast-track a legislative template that would insulate local government finances from undue interference, while promoting accountability through improved audit processes and citizen participation mechanisms.
Governors have traditionally resisted full fiscal autonomy for local councils, citing varying capacities and concerns over misuse of funds. But NULGE argued that capacity gaps can be bridged through targeted grants, training and a phased approach to autonomy that includes robust safeguards.
The union’s appeal puts fresh pressure on the federal executive to engage with state governments and the National Assembly on decentralisation — an issue that labour says is critical to preserving democratic participation and delivering services to remote and marginalised communities.
