By Christian Aburime
As Nigeria continues to steer its course towards a more effective federal system, the importance of collaboration among the tiers of government cannot be overstated. In fact, structured collaboration is one of the most critical instruments for fostering efficiency and development across the country. It is also a critical ingredient in driving a more efficient Local Government architecture.
Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, of Anambra State, an ardent advocate of competitive federalism, has canvassed the necessity of cooperation among the Federal, State, and Local Governments to optimise resources and enhance governance. He reminds us that no tier of government enjoys absolute autonomy; rather, it is through strategic collaboration that the collective goals of national development can be achieved.
A striking example of this is in the management of Nigeria’s natural resources. While the Federal Government (FGN) has exclusive control over solid minerals, the states retain exclusive rights over the land. This creates a scenario in which neither the FGN nor the states can fully exploit natural resources without cooperating with the other. A collaborative framework is necessary to ensure that the benefits of these resources are maximised for the common good.
This theme of cooperation extends beyond natural resources. Security, a paramount concern for every Nigerian, is another area where collaboration between the tiers of government is indispensable. Currently, States and Local Governments contribute tens of billions of naira monthly, deducted directly from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), to fund the federal armed forces. While security remains under the exclusive purview of the Federal Government, the states are spending substantial portions of their own revenues on logistics and operational support for federal security agencies operating within their borders. This arrangement reflects the reality that neither the Federal nor the State Governments can adequately ensure the safety of the people without mutual support.
Similarly, in the area of education, there is a well-established partnership between the Federal Government and the States. The federal Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) mandates that states provide counterpart funding before federal funds are released for basic education. This not only ensures that both the Federal and State Governments invest in the success of the education system but also allows for federal oversight to ensure that the contributions of states are used effectively. This collaborative framework enhances transparency and ensures that both tiers of government share the responsibility of delivering quality education to Nigerian children.
Governor Soludo also highlights the role of federal oversight in state borrowing. It is a fact that the Debt Management Office (DMO), a federal agency, must clear any State Government seeking to borrow from the domestic financial system. Moreover, the National Assembly must approve any external borrowing by the states. These mechanisms are not designed to stifle state autonomy, but rather to ensure that borrowing is done responsibly and within the bounds of national economic priorities. In this way, the Federal Government provides a necessary check on state finances, ensuring fiscal discipline across the country.
All the foregoing examples underline a fundamental truth about Nigeria’s federal system: no tier of government can function in isolation. The notion of “absolute autonomy,” often touted in discussions about Local Government reform, is unrealistic in a federal structure as complex and interconnected as Nigeria’s. Local Governments, in particular, cannot fulfill their constitutional responsibilities without active collaboration with State Governments. The functions assigned to Local Governments by the Constitution, ranging from maintaining public infrastructure to providing basic healthcare and education, are too vast for them to manage independently, especially given their limited financial and administrative capacity.
Recognising this reality, the Constitution grants state Houses of Assembly the authority to make laws for Local Governments. This arrangement is not a limitation on Local Government autonomy but recognition that Local Governments require the support and oversight of State Governments to function effectively. Without such legal and institutional backing, Local Governments would struggle to manage the resources and responsibilities entrusted to them.
Besides, the Constitution did not create a separate judiciary for Local Governments, reinforcing the idea that Local Governments are not standalone entities but are part of a broader state framework. The state judiciary retains oversight over Local Government matters, ensuring that they operate within the bounds of the law and that disputes are adjudicated fairly. This judicial structure further proves the need for a collaborative approach to governance at the local level.
So, the challenges facing Nigeria, whether in security, education, resource management, or financial discipline, cannot be solved by any one level of government acting in isolation. Instead, these challenges require a concerted effort, where each tier of government brings its unique strengths and resources to the table, ensuring that the collective welfare of the Nigerian people is prioritised.
