Nigeria, April 3 -- On the 11th of July 2024, the Supreme Court of Nigeria delivered a landmark ruling granting financial autonomy to local governments. The judgment effectively freed local government areas (LGAs) from the longstanding control of state governments; and it meant that the funds allocated to LGAs would bow be disbursed directly to council accounts. However, over eight months after the ruling, the implementation process has encountered significant challenges, which only point to the corporate governance deficit in the administration of local governments in Nigeria, and the urgent need for a robust framework for ensuring accountability, transparency, and efficient financial management.

The issue of financial mismanagement at ...