Towards a Viable Local Government Structure in Nigeria: Overview of US and German Local Government Systems
| Author | Mobolaji P. Ezekiel - Desmond O. Oriakhogba |
| Position | Mobolaji P. Ezekiel (PhD), Lecturer, Department of Jurisprudence and International Law, Faculty of Law, University of Benin, Nigeria. Tel: 08027694088, email: delebolaji@uniben.edu - Desmond O. Oriakhogba (LLM, LLB, BL), Lecturer, Department of Public Law, University of Benin, Nigeria. desy251@yahoo.co.uk, osaretin.oriakhogba@uniben.edu +234802... |
| Pages | 201-214 |
201
Towards a Viable Local Government
Structure in Nigeria:
Overview of US and German Local Government Systems
Mobolaji P. Ezekiel and Desmond O. Oriakhogba
Abstract
Local governments are principally established for development at the grassroots
and they must be structured in a manner that makes them viable and capable of
achieving this purpose. The objective of this comment is to appraise the current
local government structure under the Nigerian constitutional framework with a
view to evolving a more viable structure that will lead to better service delivery
at the local level. Comparative reference is made to the local government
systems in the United States of America (USA) and Germany so that good
practices can be compared with the Nigerian System. The comment suggests a
system that will be in tune with the Nigerian local milieu.
Key terms
Local government, local administration, one-tier model, two-tier model, hybrid
structure, Nigeria
DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/mlr.v9i1.7
______________
Introduction
One of the high points of Military rule in Nigeria was the reform of the local
government system. The reform, gained root in 1976 under General Olusegun
Obasanjo led Military Government. The reform brought about a single-tier
uniform local government system nationwide. A further reform in 1988/1989
under General Ibrahim Babangida led Military government introduced the
presidential system of administration to local government in a bid to create a
Mobolaji P. Ezekiel (PhD), Lecturer, Department of Jurisprudence and International Law,
Faculty of Law, University of Benin, Nigeria. Tel: 08027694088, email:
delebolaji@uniben.edu
Desmond O. Oriakhogba (LLM, LLB, BL), Lecturer, Department of Public Law,
University of Benin, Nigeria. desy251@yahoo.co.uk, osaretin.oriakhogba@uniben.edu
+2348022798223.
To continue reading
Request your trial