Project Abstract

Factors affecting the viability of local government administration as the third tier of governance play a crucial role in determining the efficiency and effectiveness of public service delivery at the grassroots level. This study aims to explore and analyze the various factors that impact the viability of local government administration, with a focus on both internal and external influences. Internally, factors such as leadership and management practices, financial management, human resource capacity, and institutional structures within local government entities significantly influence their viability. Effective leadership and management are essential for setting strategic directions, ensuring accountability, and promoting transparency within local government administrations. Financial management practices, including revenue generation, budgeting, and expenditure control, are critical for ensuring the financial sustainability of local governments. Human resource capacity, including skills, motivation, and capacity building, is crucial for enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of local government service delivery. Institutional structures, such as legal frameworks, administrative systems, and decision-making processes, also play a vital role in shaping the viability of local government administration. Externally, factors such as political interference, fiscal decentralization, intergovernmental relations, and citizen participation impact the viability of local government administration. Political interference in local government affairs can undermine autonomy, accountability, and transparency, leading to inefficiencies and corruption. Fiscal decentralization, including the allocation of financial resources and revenue-sharing mechanisms, is critical for ensuring the financial viability of local governments. Intergovernmental relations, including coordination mechanisms and collaboration between different levels of government, influence the effectiveness of local government administration. Citizen participation and engagement in local governance processes are essential for promoting transparency, accountability, and responsiveness in public service delivery. By examining these internal and external factors, this study seeks to provide insights into the challenges and opportunities facing local government administration as the third tier of governance. The findings of this research can inform policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders on strategies to enhance the viability of local government entities, improve public service delivery, and promote good governance at the grassroots level.

Project Overview

INTRODUCTION

1. Background
   of the study

Local
government plays a very crucial role in the delivery of services to the
citizenry. The success of any local government is its ability to utilize its
human and material resources to achieve the desired goals set aside for the
citizens i.e. rendering needed services to the community. Local government is a
government in which popular participation both in the choice of decision makers
and in its recognition of a third tier of government is made possible. Prior to
1976, however, Nigerian local government has passed through various transformations.
These transformations and reorganizations have affected the system financially,
administratively, politically and functionally.

Local
government administration in Nigeria has had a tortuous history. It is an important process of government with
significant consequences for national development. It is about mobilization of
human and material resources at the grassroots level for societal progress and
development.

Modern local government administration in Nigeria began during the British colonial rule. But then the system was not uniform. The restructuring and provision of some level of roles, democratic existence and funding of local government administration began in 1976. The 1976 local government reform introduced a uniform system of local government administration throughout the country, recognized local government as third tier of government and granted financial and functional autonomy to local government administration in Nigeria. The reform was a major departure from the previous practice of local government administration in Nigeria (Oviasuyi, Idada&Isiraojie, 2010). During the period when the British colonized Nigeria and the mid 1970’s when a major reform initiative was launched, local government administration was essentially undemocratic and authoritarian, either directly colonial in nature, or in indirectly so, but indeed undemocratic, under various traditional governance authorities referred to as Native Administration by the British colonial rulers (Jega, 2006:1).