Effects of Local Government Autonomy on Sustainable Development in Nigeria Izokpu Oikhala Gabriel Department of Public Administration, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria, Email id: oikhala.gabriel@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng, gabokala@yahoo.com Online Published on 24 August, 2023. Abstract The narrative surrounding local government worldwide focuses on developing the grassroots, where the life of a nation begins. Consequently, every country strives to find better ways to organize its local governments. In Nigeria, the operations of local government varied from state to state until it was officially recognized as the third-tier government by the 1979 Constitution. This paper examines the effects of local government autonomy on sustainable development in Nigeria. Data were collected from published textbooks, journals, and newspapers, and a descriptive method was employed to analyze the data. Using the Needs Approach as a theoretical framework, the study identifies local government as the closest level of governance to the people, possessing a better understanding of local needs compared to the federal and state governments. It serves as the primary avenue for providing development infrastructures and other necessities at the grassroots level. The study reveals constitutional inconsistencies, negative effects of local government reforms, power struggles between federal and state governments, and the unlawful deduction of local government funds by state governments, among other factors, which limit the impact of local government autonomy on sustainable development in Nigeria. The paper concludes that local government deserves autonomy to make meaningful contributions to sustainable development in Nigeria. Furthermore, it recommends constitutional amendments to grant full autonomy to local government and prevent it from being subordinate to other tiers of government in Nigeria. Top Keywords Government, Local government autonomy and constitution, Development, Sustainable development, Grassroots development. Top |