By Ayobami Ayorinde | On 5th August 2024, Agora Policy hosted a Policy Dialogue on mechanisms for enthroning and deepening accountability in Nigeria’s local councils.

The event, held at the Yar'Adua Centre in Abuja, was organised in partnership with the BudgIT Foundation, Yiaga Africa, the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity, Premium Times, and The Cable.

Put together with support from the MacArthur Foundation, the policy conversation aimed to explore practical ways to ensure that the Supreme Court's decision on direct allocations to local government areas leads to positive changes in local government administration and ultimately improves citizens' welfare. Over 200 participants from various sectors, including public service, academia, civil society, attended the event, demonstrating a collective commitment to accountability in local governance.

Mr. Waziri Adio, the founder and Executive Director of Agora Policy, delivered the welcome address, followed by opening remarks from Dr. Kole Shettima, the Country Director of the MacArthur Foundation. Both emphasized the need for reforms in local administration and improvement in citizens' engagement and accountability mechanisms at the local level. Goodwill messages were presented by Mr. Lanre Issa-Onilu, the Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA); Mr. Friday Ebelo, representative of the EFCC Chairman; Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, former Minister of Youth and Sports; and Dr. Otive Igbuzor, founder of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development. Their messages highlighted the need for accountability, transparency, active citizen participation, and credible elections at the local government level.

Ms. Ayomide Ladipo, Head of Tracka at BudgIT, deliverer a presentation on the state of local government administration in the country, noting that since 1999, LGAs have faced issues like weak leadership, poor governance, corruption, lack of democratic participation, excessive control by state governors, and mismanagement of resources.

The core of the deliberation was a panel session featuring Alhaji Salawu Ozigi, Acting Director General of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), who represented the National President of ALGON, Hon. Aminu Maifata; Prof. Remi Aiyede, Professor of Political Institutions, Good Governance, and Public Policy at the University of Ibadan; Mr. Samson Itodo, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa; and Ms. Bukky Shonibare, Executive Director of Invictus Africa. The session was moderated by Ms. Nabilah Usman of Radio Now.

Special interventions were provided by Ms. Ojobo Atuluku, former Director of International Programmes at Christian Aid; Dr. Dauda Garba, Director of the Centre for Democracy and Development; and Mr. Ibrahim Shettima, former Commissioner at the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission representing Niger State.

The event also featured robust question and answer session as well as a drama presentation by Arojah Royal Theatre Group.

Notable personalities at the event included Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi, former presidential spokesperson and Chairman of the ThisDay Editorial Board; Senator Bello Mandiya, who represented Katsina South Senatorial Zone from 2019 to 2023; Imam Fouad Adeyemi, Chief Missioner of Alhabibiyah Islamic Society; Mr. Olusegun Elemo, Executive Director of PLSI; Dr. Omadachi Oklobia, former commissioner, Benue State and lecturer, Nasarawa State University; Mr. Amara Nwankpa, Director of Public Policy Initiatives at the Shehu Musa Yar'Adua Foundation; Mr. Festus Owete, General Editor of Premium Times; and Dr. Umar Yakubu, the Executive Director of the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity. Below are some of the pictures from the event.