NLC SLAMS STATES OVER STALLED LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTONOMY

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has slammed Nigerian state governments for failing to implement the Supreme Court ruling granting full financial autonomy to local government areas (LGAs), warning that the delay is undermining democracy and worsening poverty at the grassroots.
NLC’s head of information, Comrade Benson Upah, said the states’ reluctance reflects “contempt for judicial authority,” adding that the welfare of workers is at stake.
“The delay in implementation is highly injurious to workers and the economy. We will not rest. With the Supreme Court ruling as our added anchor, we could throw in everything—boots and all,” Upah said.
Investigations show wide variations in compliance across states. While Bayelsa and Jigawa claim full implementation, others like Kogi, Ogun, and Nasarawa remain in defiance, citing entrenched political control and inadequate systems.
Civil society groups and the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) have also accused governors of deliberately frustrating implementation by withholding LGA funds.
Despite the landmark judgment, autonomy remains a mirage in practice. Organised labour now vows to escalate its advocacy campaign until full compliance is achieved.