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Research Article Volume-02|Issue-07|2021

Local Government Administration and Rural Development in Nigeria: The

Missing Link
Randy Oyovwevotu Sakpere

Department of Public Administration, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Abstract: This study assesses involvement of local government administration in rural development in Nigeria.
Article History The study adopted cross-sectional survey that drew data from Ministry, Department and Agencies (MDAs) of state
Received: 01.07.2021 and local governments, and rural dwellers from two states in each geopolitical zones in Nigeria. Structured
Accepted: 13.07.2021 questionnaire, oral interviews, and field observation were used in generating data from 889 respondents, and data
Published: 30.07.2021 collected were analysed using chi-square, regression and content analysis. Secondary data was obtained from
official and historical documents. The result showed that local government administration has not been effective in
Citation the provision of earth and tarred road networks, rural electrification, potable water, and agricultural extension
Sakpere, R. O. (2021). Local services to rural farmers. The result also revealed that poor revenue base, inadequately funding, corruption,
Government Administration and overdependence on statutory allocation, interference by federal and state governments, and incessant dissolution of
Rural Development in Nigeria: local government executive councils are challenges affecting rural development in Nigeria. The result further
The Missing Link. Indiana admitted that local government administration in Nigeria have not been involving the grassroot especially in the
Journal of Arts & Literature, rural communities in political participation. The study concluded that the continual sidelining of rural dwellers by
2(7), 16-29. state actors remains the missing link to achieving rural development.
Keywords: Local Government, Administration, Development, Rural, Rural Dwellers.
Copyright © 2021 The Author(s): This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC
4.0).

and shelter. Lack or inadequacy of these basic needs

INTRODUCTION continue to exacerbate the poverty incidence, thereby
Rural development occupies a critical part in resulting in increasing deterioration of living condition
global governance; hence United Nations in its bid to in the rural areas of the country.
reduce poverty in the world came up with the
millennium development goals (MDGs) in 2000. The purpose for the establishment of local
Nevertheless, the fifteen years‟ plan could not be government as a third tier of government in Nigeria was
achieved through the MDGs, hence the plan was to promote, provide and sustain development at the
reviewed and rechristened sustainable development grass root level (rural areas). However, the rural
goals (SDGs) in 2015 in order to address global poverty communities continue to suffer from
and underdevelopment. Sub-Saharan Africa is one of underdevelopment, which has led to massive migration
the regions in the World that is most backward in terms from the rural areas to urban areas thereby distorting the
of poverty, hunger, unemployment and demography of the urban areas through increase in
underdevelopment, especially the rural areas, where population of urban centres. This in turn has led to
most of the population resides. Most rural areas in increase in unemployment rate in the urban centres,
Nigeria lack the basic amenities and infrastructure that increase in the cost of living in the urban centres and
is to help reduce poverty, improve the skills of the rural increasing insecurity in the cities.
dwellers, and in turn contribute to rural development.
Despite the seeming influence of local
Odoh (2004) adduced that over 100 million government in undertaking rural development, there is
Nigerians still lack access to electricity, and about 60% very little substantial data about the contribution made
of the population did not have access to potable water to the development of rural areas by governmental and
coupled with bad road infrastructure, which has quasi-governmental activities. The amount of critical
exacerbated underdevelopment, vulnerability and assertion over a period of years indicate that the current
poverty in rural areas of Nigeria. Hence, Abah (2010) organization and structure of local government,
acknowledged the depth and deplorable state of under especially in rural areas, impede accomplishment of
development situation in the rural areas of the Nigerian quintessential service levels. Furthermore, there is
state. Describing one of the features of sufficient evidence that local governments often do not
underdevelopment in the rural areas, Abonyi & have sufficient funds to undertake these services. The
Nnamani (2011) recognized lingering rural poverty, current situation of the rural areas in Nigeria raised
which accounts for inability of rural dwellers to fulfill certain pertinent questions concerning the contribution
their basic needs such as food, water, good healthcare of local government administration to rural

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R..O. Sakpere; Ind J Arts Lite; Vol-2, Iss-7 (July, 2021): 16-29

development such as: in what ways have local Agagu (1997) views local government as a
government administration contributed to rural government at the grassroots level of administration
development? What are the constraints facing local with the purpose of achieving the need of people at the
government administration in rural development? The grassroot. He sees the local government as an
conglomeration of these myriad problems constitutes instrument of achieving development at the grassroot.
the thrust of this paper, which seeks to evaluate Describing the local government in terms of its
involvement of local government administration in rural functions, Appadorai (1975) portrays local government
development in Nigeria. as government by popularly elected bodies mandated
with administrative and executive roles in matters
affecting dwellers of a specific location. Also, Lawal
LITERATURE REVIEW (2000) describes local government as the closest tier of
Conceptual Clarifications government to the people and designated with
In order to establish a milieu for a clearer responsibilities to administer authority over the affairs
understanding of the discussion and analysis, some of people in its domain. Providing an in-depth analysis
concepts need clarification. Rural development implies in terms of political and socio-economic development,
focusing on the development of rural environment and Erero et al. (2004) describes the local government as a
its dwellers. This means that rural development can tier of government, which is closest to the rural citizens
only be measured in terms of rural human development and assigned with functions of ensuring political, social
as well as rural community development. In this light, and economic development of its area and people.
Okoli & Onah (2002) inferred that rural communities
are depicted poor or inadequate social amenities, and Local Governments and Rural Development
lack of skilled human resources, thereby leading to Barraclough & Ghimire (1995) adduced that
deprivation of human resources and critical the rural dwellers in most developing countries have
infrastructure. Hence, Ele (2006) surmised that rural been disregarded, ignored and relegated to the task of
development goes beyond providing infrastructure, dormant beneficiary of any valuable development
rather, it also involves empowering the rural dwellers so strategies and policies which impact their lives. Thus,
that they can improve their lives and carry out activities they cope with the effect of the fall out of decisions they
that will lead to development of their environment. were not a part of. In order to curb state powers in
development processes and involve members of the
Development needs of rural communities are community, Rodrik (2000) suggests employing
multifaceted, hence Olayiwola & Adeleye (2005) democratised political institutions in implementing
categorised infrastructural development of rural areas development strategies and policies. Rodrick averred
into three types: basic, social and institutionalised that these institutions play significant roles in rural
infrastructure. Basic infrastructure involves projects socio-economic development due to the predisposition
such as road networks, potable water, and rural of democratic practices to preside over social conflict
electrification, storage, and processing facilities etc. and bring about compromise. In order to achieve this
Social infrastructure includes healthcare and purpose, Rodrik advocated decentralization.
educational facilities, community centres, fire and
security services etc. Institutionalised infrastructure Santiso (2000) ascribe the essence of local
entails credit and financial institutions and agricultural institutions in bringing about local development
research institutions to improve the economic activities because it was apparently a strategy for clearer insight
and income of the rural population. The provision of of rural communities, and be more incisive to the
these infrastructure will lead to integrated rural purported desires and limitations of rural people. Local
development that activates rural productive activities, Governments have been regarded to be crucial and
promoting human resource development and re-building effective in nurturing local participation and
of existing rural infrastructure. empowerment, democracy and cost effectiveness within
the framework of One-Party System. The devolution of
Local government plays critical role in rural power to local government is one form of development
development because it is the closest to the rural from the bottom.
communities. This accounts for the allocation of certain
legislative functions that places it in vantage position to Sen (1999) appraised the effectiveness and
provide social services and promote rural development performance of local governments as institutions
to the grassroots. Local government councils in Nigeria saddled with the task of being at the forefront of
have been constrained in providing rural infrastructure implementing rural development. Sen further
due to continual starving them of funds by state investigates the relationship between freedom and
governments. Ikelegbe (2005) sees local government as development, and the manner in which freedom is both
a component of a state or region of a country. inherent and external to development, that is essential
Adamolekun (1983) affirms that local government was component of development in itself and a facilitating
established for the purpose of providing efficient necessity to other perspectives such as stability and
service delivery vis-à- vis rural development. security. Sen advocates an emphasis on what he refers

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to as capabilities, that is, fundamental human freedom, was to apply the „western‟ processes and approaches to
constituting processes and favourable moment, and for the developing world and expect the locals to replicate
acknowledgement of the diversity of definite these methods and get the same results as the west. The
constituents of freedom. outcome of the application of the western processes and
approaches in the 1970s did not achieve the expected
Sen (1999) reiterated that development results and the rural dwellers started questioning these
comprises the elimination of the diverse kinds of methods. This led to the acceptance of the participatory
incarceration (like political freedom) that provide method as an alternative strategy, where local processes
people with limited decision and minimal opportunity and practices and expectations begun to be integrated in
of carrying out their reasoned agency. To put it another the methods suggested as a development method.
way, Sen contends for an emphasis on the capabilities
of people to act and be what they value. Local The rationale behind emergence of the
government performance concerning their efforts on participatory development approach is the participation
bringing development to the rural areas have been and involvement of rural dwellers and enhancing their
dismal. In order to hasten development to rural capabilities in development initiatives. This empowers,
dwellers, many states embarked on the creation of local and leads to self-transformation and self-reliance
council development areas (LCDAs). States that create (Penderis, 1996; Rahman, 1993; & Conyers & Hills,
LCDAs include Lagos (2001); Yobe (2003); Bauchi 1990). In achieving rural development through
(2004); Imo (2011); Osun & Ogun (2016); & Ekiti participatory development approach as shown in figure
(2021) and so on. Despite, the creation of LCDAs, rural 1, Dennis (1997) highlights the principles of the
development has continued to suffer neglect. participatory approach, which includes involving rural
dwellers in the decision or process that the outcome will
In spite of various reforms in local government affect (Inclusion), identifying the skill, ability and
administration in Nigeria, the rural areas still suffer initiative of every rural dweller and ensuring that they
from lack of development as the effort of the local are given equal right to be involved in the process,
government have not achieve visible results in terms of irrespective of their status (equal partnership); rural
provision of essential and social services. Akhakpe et dwellers must beget a conducive environment that
al. (2012) stated that local governments as instrument of promotes an open communication and builds dialogue
development depends on allocation from federal and (Transparency); distribution of authority and power
state governments and their internally generated equally and uniformly among all stakeholders in order
revenue so as to execute projects that will not only to prevent ascendancy of one group over the other
enhance the lives of the rural dwellers but also lead to (Sharing power); also, interested parties must have
provision of physical infrastructure and social amenities equal task and functions for decisions to be taken and
such as provision of access roads, potable water and each party should have clear functions within each
rural electrification; enhancing rural livelihoods through process (Sharing responsibility); participants with
the provision of credit facilities for agriculture, arts, expertise in disciplines should be motivated to assume
crafts and small scale business; and motivating responsibility for duties within their specialty, but
formation of cooperative societies and other economic should also ensure that others are included in fostering
consortium. mutual learning and equipping (Empowerment); and
apportioning responsibilities based on individual
strength will avert the likelihood of failure by
THEORETICAL EXPLICATIONS individual‟s weaknesses in discharging their duties
Several theories have evolved empirically to (Cooperation).
expound the divergent typical trajectory, strategies
utilised in various circumstances along with policy Roodt (2001); & Dodds (1986) claimed that
formulation and implementation. The rationale for the the participatory development model emphasises the
continued existence of underdeveloped economies and engagement of the greater number of the population
social services in developing countries have been (particularly those earlier on omitted namely CBOs,
propounded by modern writers drawn from different Women, Youth and the illiterate) in the course of
development theories. Though theories are abstractions, development program as shown in figure 1. This theory
the utilisation of development theories in case studies sees development as a course of action that gives
tend to differ subject to circumstantial differences in attention to community participation in their own
economic, social and cultural structures and historical development utilizing available resources and directing
experiences. the future development of their community. This
approach stresses concepts like capacity building,
Yoon (1995) alluded that participatory empowerment, sustainability and self-reliance. Korten
approaches in rural development came to limelight in (1987) affirm that bureaucracy is in conflict with in
the 1970s. The concept of participatory models came bringing development to developing countries, but
into view from the development community. Under the rather in the communities themselves.
„modernization‟ school of thought, the usual practice

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The major principle that govern the conduct of ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs and
participatory community development is that all the those of local government area; and (4) community
participants collaborate in any development leaders. Analysis of data was done using chi-square and
undertakings from inception of project identification, regression.
prioritization, planning, implementation, evaluation and
monitoring. The purpose of the collaboration is aimed at Local Government Administration and Rural
attaining feeling of ownership and sustainability of the Development
projects (GTZ-OSHP, 2002). Compared to the Local Government was established to be an
traditional rural development approach, the instrument that will facilitate rural development in
participatory approach offers a larger emphasis on Nigeria. However, there have been mixed views as
building capacity, empowerment, self-reliance and regards the extent to which local government
sustainability of the projects. Participatory approaches administration has performed in transforming rural
(figure 1) can also confront perceptions, bringing about areas through provision of the needed facilities and
a change in attitude and agendas (Farm Africa, 2002). infrastructure. Table 1 shows the linear regression
results indicating involvement of local government
administration in rural development in Nigeria.

The result (β=.014,t=.325, p>.05) shows that

local government administration‟s involvement with
the local citizenry in political participation for rural
development is statistically not significant. This implies
that local government administration in Nigeria have
not been involving the grassroot especially in the rural
communities in political participation. A Director in one
of the local governments in Imo State stated that local
government administration in the state do not involve
local citizens in political participation for rural
development. She attributed this to corruption at the
local government in Nigeria because they prefer to
award contracts for execution of projects that will
benefit them through kickbacks. This findings was in
consonance with the studies carried out by Ele (2006);
Okoli & Onah (2002); & Abah (2010). In their study,
Okoli & Onah (2002) reported that rural development
can be effective only when rural dwellers are well
integrated. Ele (2006), on his part, reiterated the views
Figure 2: Schematic Illustration of Participatory
of Okoli & Onah (2002) when he concluded that rural
Development
development can only be achieved when its
Source: Jica Research Institute
implementation is comprehensive, entailing every facet
of rural life and the joint efforts of the local, state and
MATERIALS AND METHODS federal governments along with communities and civil
The study employed a cross-sectional survey society organisations.
that drew data from Ministry, Department and Agencies
(MDAs) of state and local governments, and rural The effect of local government administration
dwellers. Multi-stage sampling technique was used for on provision of earth and tarred roads is statistically not
this paper. At the first stage, two states were randomly significant in the Nigerian rural areas (β=.015, t=.250,
selected from each geopolitical zone of the country, p>.05). This indicates that local administration has not
namely Plateau and Niger states (North-central), Taraba been effective in the provision of access earth and tarred
and Jigawa states (North-east), Katsina and Kebbi states road networks. This can be attributed to the
(North-west), Abia and Imo states (South-east), Edo and intergovernmental fiscal crisis between the state and
Cross River states (South-south), and Ekiti and Osun local governments, whereby state governments interfere
states (South-west). At the second stage, one rural Local in local government finances by utilising local
Government Area (LGA) was selected using stratified government funds domiciled in the state joint local
random sampling technique. At the third stage, one government account for other purposes outside the
village was randomly selected from each local grassroots. Visitation, observation and interviews with
government. Finally, using structured questionnaire, residents of Guni village (Munya LGA in Niger State),
oral interview and field observation data were generated Yanturaku village (Batsari LGA in Katsina State),
from 864 respondents. The sample‟s constituents Boole village (Odo-Otin LGA in Osun State) and
included: (1) only rural based local government areas; Etekwuru village (Ohafia/Egbema LGA in Imo State)
(2) residents/dwellers in the villages; and (3) staff of shows bad roads due to water logged earth/untarred

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R..O. Sakpere; Ind J Arts Lite; Vol-2, Iss-7 (July, 2021): 16-29

road with gullies due to erosion and floods. This has low, and rural dwellers are more concerned with daily
limited means of transportation of the rural dwellers to survival and will not be bothered with “elitist” concepts
foot paths, bicycle and motorcycles to convey their farm like waste management. Ogbonna et al reported that
produce from their farms to the market. This result was inadequate.
in consonance with the assertion of a Director in one of
the Department of works who stated that most local Management skills in the handling of domestic
governments do not have the carterpillars and waste at the rural level are also a major problem
bulldozers they used to have to deploy to rural because the attitude of government at the grassroot level
communities to rehabilitate or construct new earth encourage open dumps as a waste-disposal method. In
roads. Many of these carterpillars have been abandoned many of such situation, these waste dumps are located
due to lack of funds because the higher levels of wherever land is available without regard to safety,
government deprive local governments of their health hazards, on the aesthetic values of the locations.
allocation. This result ratified the findings of
Olorunfemi (2020) who admitted that accessibility to With regards to local government
the rural communities by road is imperative to administration involvement in rural electrification, the
achieving Sustainable Development Goals. However, result is statistically not significant (β=.049, t=.638,
these rural communities are disconnected from the p>.05). This insinuates that the reason many rural
major roads and public transport services that should communities are still in perpetual darkness and not
link them to the economic and social opportunities in attracting the industries that require the raw materials
urban centers. Gbadamosi & Olorunfemi (2016) also that are produced in these areas is as a result of the
attributed the poor road network that is supposed to inability of the respective local government
connect rural communities to urban centres as being administration in Nigeria to invest in rural
responsible for medical and health personnel rejecting electrification. This also accounts for the reason youths
their posting to rural areas of the country. are migrating from rural to urban areas. This result
confirms the findings of Ezeah (2005) who established
The result (β= -.125, t= -2.879, p<.05) shows that rural areas in Nigeria are suffering from neglect in
that local government administration involvement in basic amenities like electricity. The result was in
rural domestic waste management is negative and consonance with the position of United Nations (2007)
statistically significant. This means that local who enunciated that the provision of electricity has
government administration is not involve in waste however been a difficult task for the government in
management in the rural areas of Nigeria. However, the developing countries, particularly in Africa. The UN
rural dwellers adopt unorthodox method in waste contended further that although, Africa constitutes
management. They indiscriminately dispose and burn approximately 10% of the world population; yet the
their domestic waste in the open and at different total primary energy consumption of Africa is only
locations, thereby polluting and destroying their about 3% of the world total energy consumption. The
environment. This findings was corroborated in an result also supported the views of Aklilu (2004) who
interview with the women leaders in Mai-Zagga village acknowledged that rural electrification has occupied the
(Dakingeri LGA of Kebbi State), Kungana village (Bali development agenda towards enhancing the welfare of
LGA of Taraba State), and Urokuosa village rural dwellers, nevertheless, majority of the rural
(Uhunmwode LGA of Edo State) during interview populace are still in darkness due to lack of electricity.
session that the rural dwellers manage their domestic The work of Idachaba (2006) advocated that provision
waste themselves through burning. They further of rural infrastructure such as electricity is one of the
claimed that the local government administration or main methods and means of improving the standard of
their representative have never been seen for the past 20 living and accelerating rural development. While
years collecting and disposing waste. This result Osanyinlusi et al. (2017) concluded that rural areas in
substantiate findings of Nwankwo (1994) who affirms Nigeria have been experiencing severe neglect and
that increasing growth in population and changing inadequate rural electrification infrastructural
consumption patterns combine to aggravate solid-waste development.
problems in Nigeria. Nwankwo reiterated that the
challenge of effective solid-waste management in From the the results, provision of agricultural
Nigerian cities and urban centers has reached mammoth extension services by local government administration
proportions, as heaps of refuse are found along major to farmers in rural areas is negative and statistically not
roads, riverbanks, and in open spaces. The result was significant (β= -.062, t= -1.500, p>.05). This means that
consistent with the outcome of the work of Ogbonna et local government administration has not been effective
al. (2002) who admitted that domestic waste in providing agricultural extension services to rural
management in Nigeria is faced with many obstacles, farmers. This result validates the findings of Ijere
ranging from economic, environmental, sociocultural to (1992) who asserted that the rural areas in Nigeria
sociopolitical issues. The level of enlightenment and which produces 95 percent of the food crops in the
environmental awareness about likely vulnerability to country is plagued with poverty, underdevelopment,
danger from a polluted environment is still abysmally poor standard of living and lack of basic agricultural

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R..O. Sakpere; Ind J Arts Lite; Vol-2, Iss-7 (July, 2021): 16-29

facilities and other farm inputs like fertilizer for who described the absence of health institutions in
enhanced rural agricultural activities for promotion of majority of the rural areas in Nigeria, and where they
rural industrialization. The result also was in congruent are present, rural dwellers travel very long distance to
with the views of Ekong (2003) who established that access the service.
prompt delivery of inputs to farmers and evacuation of
farms produce to market as a vital process of rural The result (β= -.056, t= -.983, p>.05) revealed
development. that involvement of local government administration in
provision of credit facilities for agriculture to rural
The result of the study (β= -.007, t= -.110, dwellers is negative and statistically not significant.
p>.05) revealed that involvement of local government Majority of the rural farmers interviewed at Amamba
administration in provision of potable water to rural village (Bende LGA in Abia State), Zolgo village
communities is negative and statistically not significant, (Bassa LGA in Plateau State) and Orin- Ekiti village
which established that local government administration (Ido/Osi LGA in Ekiti State) were of the view that they
have not been committed in the provision of potable have not benefitted from government‟s credit facilities,
water in rural communities. This may account for the even when they approach the relevant organs of
high rate and widespread of water borne diseases in government for possibility of accessing the credit
Nigerian rural areas. This result give credence to the facilities, which still yields no positive outcome. This
findings of African Development Bank (2014), which result gives credence to the findings of Nwakubo &
reveals that rural dwellers do not have access to Maritun (2004) that due to inability of rural farmers to
appropriate locally produced technology for water that access credit facilities and poor state of infrastructure,
will facilitate provision of water supply in order to especially road, the farmers are faced with the challenge
improve the health and socio-economic benefits of rural of transporting their produce from farm to the market. It
communities. also affect the type and quantities of input used in
agricultural production and the returns obtained. This is
In the same vein, the results (β= -.001, t= - responsible for why some crops are left to perish in the
.018, p>.05) show that local government soil, since they cannot transport them to the market.
administration‟s effectiveness in the management of While other farmers in need of capital are forced to sell
public primary schools is negative and statistically not their crops while still in the soil unharvested at a very
significant, indicating that local government low price.
administration have not been effective in the
management of public primary schools in the rural The result also shows that local government
areas. This result validate the findings of Ijere (1992) administration effectiveness in mobilising resources
who asserted that primary education facilities in the through the provision of avenues for rural dwellers to
rural areas is devoid of functional facilities like acquire needed skills is statistically not significant (β=
classrooms and furniture, adequate funding, library and .041, t= .743, p>.05). This reveals that local government
adequate, qualified and competent teachers. The result administration have not been actively involved in
further collaborated the outcome of Nwankwo (2002) providing opportunities for rural dwellers to acquire
findings, who adduced that the local government has skills that will empower them economically. This result
not been effective and responsive in fulfilling the needs affirms Ibietan (2010) study that concluded that
of rural dwellers in respect of rural development, and empowerment requires participation of rural dwellers
this has resulted in the inability of the local government development programmes geared towards skill
to finance the primary and adult education at the acquisition needed for trasforming their lives. This can
grassroots. Thus, many local governments are not only be achieved through skills acquisition, capacity
efficient in deriving funds from internally generated building and development, and functional institutions at
revenue internally and this affect their effectiveness in the local, state and federal levels that will utilise the
funding primary education. human resources for the development of rural areas.
This result is in consonance with the assertion of
Likewise, result shows that local government Adedire (2014) who inferred that lack of due
administration effectiveness in the management of consultation and non-involvement of local dwellers by
primary health centres negative and statistically not the local government administration before embarking
significant (β= -.076, t= -1.271, p>.05), implying that on developmental programmes that will empower them
local government administration is not effective in the economically can be eliminated if the local government
managent of primary health care in the rural areas. This can operate a transparent administration that will inspire
result is in agreement with the findings of Ugwuanyi local communities to express their views on issues that
and Chukwuemeka (2013) who reported that the affect them. This will allow local government to
inadequacy of health institutions is a common feature in execute people based programmes that will prevent
Nigerian rural areas. Likewise, the result of this study misplacement of priorities and wastage of resources.
also authenticate the findings of Onah and Okoli (2002)

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Table 1. Linear Regression analysis showing Extent of Local Government Administration involvement in Rural
Development in Nigeria
S/N β Std. error t sig. (p)
1 Involvement of local citizenry in political 0.14 0.43 .325 .745
participation
2 Provision of access earth and tarred roads 0.15 0.60 .250 .803
3 Effective in rural domestic waste .125 0.43 -2.879 .005
management
4 Involved in electrification of rural 0.49 0.76 .638 .525
communities
5 Provision of agricultural extension services 0.19 -.062 -1.500 .136
to rural farmers
6 Provision of potable water for rural .007 .060 -1.10 -.912
communities
7 Effective management of Primary education -.001 .060 -.018 .985
8 Effective management of Primary health -.076 .060 -1.271 .206
facilities
9 Provision of credit facilities For agriculture -.056 -.057 -.983 -.327
to rural dwellers
10 Effective mobilisation of resources through .041 .056 .743 .459
the provision of avenues for rural dwellers to
acquire needed skills.
Source: Author‟s Field Report

Constraints Of Local Government Administration Also, the result (χ2 = 87.917, p<.05) showed
Affecting Rural Development In Nigeria that the corruption by public officials and other
One significant reason for the creation of local stakeholders through mismanagement, embezzlement
government is to promote grassroots development and misappropriation of local government funds is
because they are better and strategically positioned than positive and statistically significant. This indicates that
the federal and state government to engender rural local government council officials engage in corrupt
development as a result of their nearness to the people practices such as mismanagement, embezzlement and
at the local level. However, local governments in misappropriation of local government funds. This
Nigeria are confronted with constraints that tend to result was affirmed by internal auditors in some local
hinder them from executing programmes and projects government councils in Ekiti, Katsina, Imo, Taraba and
that foster rural development. Table 2 shows the result Niger states who disclosed that one of the greatest
of chi-square analysis for Constraints of Local challenges of the local government councils is lack of
Government Administration affecting Rural prudence in their financial management. They admitted
Development in Nigeria. that local governments are not prudent even in the
inadequate funds allocated to them, rather, the funds are
The result (χ2 = 14.600, p<.05) revealed that embezzled. This result confirmed the findings of
local government councils are inadequately funded. Imhanlahimi & Ikeanyibe (2009) who asserted that the
This implies that inadequately funding of local large scale embezzlement by officials of local
government councils significantly affect rural government councils have hindered the needed
development. This result was reiterated during development at the rural communities. The result also
interviews by the Directors of Finance of local establishes the outcome of Doho, Ahmed and Umar
governments in Osun, Imo, Plateau, Cross River, (2018) work, where they assert that excessive control by
Katsina and Kebbi states, who admitted that funds the state governments on local governments result in
released by state governments to ltheir respective local extensive corruption supervised at the state level
governments fell short of the actual funds released from through its superintending ministry such as the Ministry
the federation account. This result substantiate the for Local Government and the Joint Account meetings.
findings of Ammani (2012) who recounted how state Funds designated for the development of rural areas are
governments diverted revenue meant for local being diverted and dispensed or apportioned for
governments from federal allocations to the state-joint political activities of the ruling party controlling the
local governments account. The result also supports the state. The result of the study was in agreement with the
findings of Doho et al. (2018) who inferred that the contribution of Obasanjo (2003) who averred that
joint state-local government account provides state despite the enormous resources apportioned to rural
governors privilege to allot local governments whatever development in Nigeria, rural development continues to
amount they chose to thereby denying them what is due linger in underdevelopment because the local
to them. government authorities saddled with the responsibilities
have not been able to accomplish its obligation. The
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R..O. Sakpere; Ind J Arts Lite; Vol-2, Iss-7 (July, 2021): 16-29

expectation was that the local government would act as was the need of local government to be viable. Odo
a catalyst to rapid and sustained development at the reported that most of the local governments in the
grassroots level, however, the op for rapid and sustained country today cannot survive outside the statutory
development has been a delusion as subsequent local allocations from the federation account despite the
government council administration have abysmally various revenue (taxing) powers assigned to them.
fallen short of expectations in most areas of their Though, local governments are assigned poor yielding
functions. Aside from the obvious mismanagement and revenue sources. Contrasting this view, some heads of
misapplication of funds presently going on in most local internal revenue units were of the view that local
governments in the country, the resources available government officials assigned with the purpose of
which is meant for development programmes at the revenue collection, either do not remit collections or
grassroots are being used for bloated elected officials only remit a fraction, hence they recommend that fines,
and unproductive bureaucracies. levies etc. should be paid directly to banks instead of
individuals in order to reduce losses.
In the same vein, the result (χ2 = 1.800, p>.05)
revealed that delay in payment of federal and state Also, the result (χ2 = 52.667, p<.05) showed
grants to local governments is not statistically that state government by the instrumentality of Joint
significant, which implies that the delay in payment of State-Local Government Account enchroach into local
grants do not necessarily affect rural development. This government funds is statistically significant. This
view was also attested to by some heads of department indicates that state governments have been
in local governments that despite release from enchroaching into and spending local governments
federation account through the joint state-local funds illegally. Many of the supervising councillors
government account do not have any meaningful project confirmed this action of state government, which is
to show for such allocation. They indicted the local responsible for why many state governors prefers to
government authorities of misappropriation and appoint Caretaker Committees to run the affairs of local
embezzlement, hence they declared that even if the governments instead of democratically elected officials,
grants from the higher levels of government is released was to ensure that their actions are not challenged. This
promptly, it will still not make any impact. This result result buttress the findings of Odo (2014), who averred
substantited the works of Bird (2010); Boadway & Shah that funds allocated to local governments for
(2009); Boex & Martinez-Vazquez (2006); & Bird & development of rural areas are being diverted for other
Smart (2002) who acknowledged that all governments purposes by the state governments at the detriment of
globally assigned more expenditure functions to local the local governments.
governments that their revenue sources can hardly
finance. The inability of the local government to finance Similarly, the result (χ2 = 58.000, p<.05)
its functions is referred to as vertical imbalances, and discovered that inadequate skilled human resources in
this accounts for why local governments in Nigeria the local government is statistically significant, which
relies on transfers from higher levels of government to connotes that the local government do not have skilled
bridge the gap created by vertical imbalances. This act human resources. This result endorse the findings of
of underpayment disbursement of funds to local Odo (2014) that there is dearth of highly skilled human
government contributed to the problem of inadequate resources at the local government council. Some of the
finance which has made effective services delivery at executive officers interviewed alleged that the available
the rural areas to be impossible. Furthermore, Bird staff at the local government councils are the non-
(2010) averred that the gap created as a result of the specialised staff such as administrative/executive
differences between local revenue bases and officers; clerks; artisans; office assistants (messengers);
administrative capacities gave rise to problems of typists etc., who do not possess the requisite skill in
equalization (horizontal imbalance) between urban and order to be competent to provide professional and
rural local government authorities. Bird (2010) expertise services that can lead rural development. The
concluded that the presence of such imbalances implies findings of this study was in agreement with the study
that it is impossible to design an appropriate system of conducted by Bello-Imam & Roberts (2001), who
local government taxation without simultaneously attributed poor service delivery among local
designing an appropriate system of intergovernmental governments to key factors such as inadequate skilled
transfers. and technical human resources. Likewise, Eboh &
Diejomaoh (2010); Adeyemi (2013); Agba et al. (2013);
Furthermore, the result (χ2 = 74.750, p<.05) Ibok (2014); Bolatito & Ibrahim (2014); &
affirmed that poor revenue base of the local government Chukwuemeka et al. (2014) identified lack of qualified
is positive and statistically significant, signifying that professional staff and unskilled workers. Fajonyomi &
the poor revenue base of the local government is Olu-Owolabi (2013) further traced the problems of rural
affecting this tier of government from achieving its development as well as efficient and effective social
rural development goal. This result is in agreement with service delivery to poor staffing who find it difficult to
the findings of Odo (2014) who stated that one of the plan and execute government programmes. Onuigbo
criteria in the1976 local government reforms guidelines (2021) went deeper to the root cause of the inability of

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R..O. Sakpere; Ind J Arts Lite; Vol-2, Iss-7 (July, 2021): 16-29

local government to initiate and prosecute rural statistically significant, which means that the local is
development to the questionable manner of recruitment seen not as a tier of government but as an appendage.
as it is based on biasness and sentiments which This result established the findings of Imhanlahimi &
eventually institute mediocrity and subvert meritocracy. Ikeanyibe (2009) who enunciated that local government
Onuigbo further surmised that a junior cadre staff on in Nigeria do not have autonomous financial power.
grade level 01-06, whose salary is as low as N30,000.00 This is because they cannot embark on any expenditure
($50) would definitely not attract any skilled worker. without recourse to the state government. The result
Also, discrimination on the grounds of sex, ethnicity also gave credence to the findings of Akhakpe et al.
and religion instead of merit, has resulted in (2012) who opined that local government
disregarding the right attitude in the process of staffing, administration has been facing constraints due to the
extreme undue interference by the politicians and top incessant impinging on its functions over the years by
functionaries in the staffing process, biasness in the the federal and state governments. The result was
staffing method by the employers affect the credibility further authenticated by the outcome of Odo (2014)
and quality of employee, replacement of retired assertion that the overbearing control of state
personnel with their relatives and backdoor recruitment governments by dictating to the local governments and
disorganize staffing process. carrying out expenditure on their behalf has undermined
their powers thereby inhibiting performance of local
In the local governments. These outcomes government administration in grassroots development.
corroborated the findings of Abonyi (2004) that
admitted that no local government will be able to Furthermore, the result (χ2 = 65.667, p<.05)
accomplish rural development, without its human affirmed that constitutional complexities on the
resources (staffing, development, compensation, safety functions of local governments is statistically
and health, and labour relations). Hence, the abysmal significant. This implies that constitutional
failure of the local government system could be traced complexities on the functions of local governments
to its untrained, ill equipped and unskilled workforce. hinders local government authorities from embarking
Most of its incompetent staff were politically recruited on projects that will promote rural development.
by the various ruling party. The local government has Directors of personnel in Osun, Abia, Cross River,
been converted to a dumping ground for unqualified Niger, Taraba and Katsina states were all in agreement
people to be recruited into positions they do not have that the vagueness of the constitution has created
the requisite qualification. complexities, which is responsible for loop holes that
allow states and federal government to interfere in the
In similar fashion, the result (χ2 = 62.750, functions, which are traditionally that of the local
p>.05) showed that overdependence on statutory government. This result reinforce the findings of
allocation from the federation account is statistically Imhanlahimi & Ikeanyibe (2009) who established that
significant. This adduces that overdependence on despite constitutional provisions, federal and state
statutory allocation from the federation account has government continue to erode autonomy of the local
deprived the local government from generating revenue government. The result was also in consonance with the
that will assist them in carrying out projects for rural findings of Doho, Ahmed and Umar (2018) who
development. Some of the supervisory counsellors in averred that the amendment of the Nigerian 1999
some local government councils during interviews constitution poses hurdle for the local government to be
argued that until Nigeria begin to practice true able to operate as a tier of government. This, eventually
federalism, local government councils can not survive became an obstacle for the local government to bring
without their dependence on statutory allocation coming development to rural communities.
from the federation account. The findings of this study
was in agreement with the work of Inyokwe (2018) that In the same way, the result (χ2 = 74.483, p<.05)
the allocation of primary tax heads to the federal showed that incessant dissolution of local government
government, secondary tax heads to state governments executive council is positive and statistically significan.
and residual tax heads to the local governments have The governors of the various states arbitrarily dissolve
brought about a master-servant relationship and the the entire elected executives of local government
overreliance on the federal government for monthly council without appropriate investigation on fictitious
allocation by the state and local governments. Also, the accusations on corruption is disastrous for result
result also reiterated the findings of NEITI (2016) that oriented local government administration in Nigeria.
affirmed the recurring over-dependence on monthly This result was validated by the response of some
revenue allocation from the federation account by the Directors of some local governments in Ekiti, Imo,
federal, state and local governments as an indication Plateau, and Jigawa states where they argued that the
imminent danger to national development. recurring interference in the affairs of local government
by state governments by dissolving elected executives
Again, the result (χ2 = 56.917, p<.05) revealed of local governments have continually destabilise
that federal and state government interference in the democratic process, and also weaken constitution
administration of local governments is positive and powers of the local government.

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R..O. Sakpere; Ind J Arts Lite; Vol-2, Iss-7 (July, 2021): 16-29

The result of this study was in agreement with Finally, the result (χ2 = 47.282, p<.05)
the findings of Agbodike et al. (2014) argued that state established that poor and ineffective intergovernmental
government‟s dissolves elected local government at will relations between state and local government is positive
and appoint Caretaker Committees that they control and and statistically significant. Some Directors in some
indirectly administer the governance of the local local governments in Imo, Ekiti, Plateau, Taraba, Kebbi
governments. As a result, the Caretaker Committees and Cross River states inferred that there is no effective
have been unable to disentangle themselves from the intergovernmental relations between the state and local
entrapment of state governments. Despite, appointing governments. Rather, the relationship exist between
Caretaker Committees, these committees are dissolved them is that of superior and subordinate. This accounts
at will. for the reason state government dissolve elected local
government officials at will without recourse to
In addition, the result (χ2 = 63.621, p<.05) constitution. The result was in agreement with World
enunciated that lack of accountability and transparency Bank (2003) report that stated that the ineffectiveness of
in local government administration is positive and intergovernmental relations is identified in the
statistically significant, suggesting that the local weakness of current arrangements, especially in the
government councils have not operated a transparent educational sector, which lacks clarity in the
and accountable system. This have resulted in many accountability framework. There is no definite position
scholars dubbing the local government as the most as to which tier of government is responsible for
corrupt of the three tiers of government. Some heads of achieving major educational outcomes. The result was
department in some local governments in Osun, in consonance with Freinkman (2007) assertion that
Katsina, Abia, Edo and Niger states stated that financial Nigeria‟s model of fiscal federalism as depicted by the
procedures are not effectively followed in disbursement components of intergovernmental relations such as
of funds. They alleged that certain expenditure affecting resource allocation, distribution of responsibilities for
their departments are embarked upon without their service delivery, and mechanisms for interaction
knowledge and involvement. This result was in between different tiers of government is defined by core
consonance with the findings of Adedire (2014) who rules. However, the current mechanisms and institutions
stated that a major obstacle to rural development is the for coordinating intergovernmental policy are weak and
menace of corruption due to lack of integrity, require improvement. Also, the poor coordination of
accountability and transparency among local various interventions as it affects shared responsibility
government officials who are entrusted with the in the provision of services in the environment among
responsibility to execute development projects and different tiers of government give rise to duplication of
programmes in the rural areas. This views were efforts and poor allocation of resources. Furthermore,
reiterated further by Nwakoby (2007) who express the inadequate sharing of information among various
dissatisfaction about the misuse of public funds (meant tiers of government typify a basic weakness of the
for rural projects) being diverted to individuals personal present intergovernmental arrangements in Nigeria.
account in Europe and America while subjecting rural
populace to abject poverty.

Table 2: Chi square analysis on Constraints of Local Government Administration affecting Rural Development in
Nigeria
S/N Types of Performance Appraisal χ2 df sig. (p)
1 Inadequate funding of local government for rural development 14.600 3 .002
2 Corruption by public officials and other stakeholders through 87.917 4 .000
mismanagement, embezzlement and misappropriation of
local government funds
3 Delay in payment of federal and state grants to local governments 1.800 3 .615
4 Poor revenue base of the local government 74.750 4 .000
5 Exploitation of local government funds by state government by the 52.667 4 .000
instrumentality of State Joint Local Government Account
6 Inadequate skilled human resources in the local government 58.500 4 .000
7 Overdependence on statutory allocation from the federation account 62.750 4 .000
8 Interference in the administration of local governments by state government 56.917 4 .000
9 Constitutional complexities on the functions of local governments 65.667 4 .000
10 Incessant dissolution of local government executive council 74.483 4 .000
11 Lack of accountability and transp[arency in local government 63.621 4 .000
Administration
12 Poor intergovernmental relations between state and local government 47.282 4 .000
Source: Author‟s Field Report

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R..O. Sakpere; Ind J Arts Lite; Vol-2, Iss-7 (July, 2021): 16-29

Finally, certain constraints hinder local

CONCLUSION government administration from being able to execute
Essentially, local government administrations projects and programmes that will achieve rural
have in their possession the needed instrument and tools development. This include inadequate funding as a
to achieve rural development in Nigeria. The paper result of especially state government antics of starving
identified waste management in rural areas as the only local governments of funds through continual intruding
indicator of rural development where success was fairly into and spending local government funds. Also
achieved. However, the success was not as a result of corruption among officials of local governments in form
the effort of local government administration, it was of mismanagement, embezzlement and
rather, attributed to the determination of the rural misappropriation of funds meant rural development.
dwellers, who individually on their own, dispose and Other constraints include poor revenue base of local
burn the waste. Furthermore, the paper showed that governments, delay in payment of federal and state
local government administration performed poorly in grants to local governments, overdependence on
involving local citizens in political participation. statutory allocation from the federation account,
exploitation of local government funds by state
The paper also revealed that local government government through the instrumentality of Joint State-
administration performed badly in the area of providing Local Government Account, and constitutional
earth and tarred roads and electrification for rural complexities in the functions of local governments.
communities. The state of affairs of the rural roads
presents the true condition of rural communities in
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