Lagos, Nigeria | Naija247news – The Lagos State Government has clarified that the controversy surrounding local government autonomy across Nigeria is not applicable in Lagos, declaring that local councils in the state enjoy unfettered access to federal allocations.
This assertion was made by Mr. Bolaji Robert, Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, during the Ministerial Press Briefing held Thursday in Ikeja to mark the second anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office.
Robert said Lagos local governments are financially independent and transparent, distancing the state from the ongoing implementation disputes surrounding the Supreme Court’s July 2024 judgement, which affirmed the financial autonomy of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.
“The issue of local government autonomy is alien to the government of Lagos State. Our LGs receive their funds without hindrance. We do not owe any council,” Robert stated.
He noted that this policy framework has helped Lagos LGs lead the country in terms of infrastructure development, healthcare, and grassroots service delivery.
Lagos Bolsters Traditional Institutions, Pays N775m in Staff Benefits
Robert also disclosed that the Sanwo-Olu administration had installed 50 traditional rulers, including 17 first-class Obas, since the start of his second term. He highlighted the coronation of Oba Omogbolahan Lawal, the Oniru of Iru Kingdom, as a milestone achievement.
In a bid to uphold public service welfare, the commissioner revealed that families of deceased staff from the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and local government workforce had received N775 million in insurance benefits, distributed to 271 beneficiaries over the past year.
“The Ministry approved 85 capital projects for LGAs and LCDAs, disbursed over N775 million in benefits, and ensured administrative compliance through 14 regulatory circulars,” he said.
In addition, the state issued 43 special licences, 12 church licences, and 176 marriage documents, reinforcing its commitment to institutional oversight at the grassroots level.
Rural Development and Youth Empowerment Drive Agricultural Reforms
On rural development, the commissioner revealed that the state executed 80 water and sanitation projects, issued 61 certificates of state recognition to traditional rulers, and launched a multi-pronged initiative to strengthen agriculture and youth empowerment.
More than 2,000 youths and women are currently undergoing training in aquaculture and digital skills, while over 200 farms are receiving land, equipment, and other essential resources to boost local food production.
“Our strategic interventions are designed to improve economic resilience, food security, and community well-being,” Robert said.
The initiatives underline the Sanwo-Olu administration’s commitment to deepening local governance, strengthening traditional institutions, and driving inclusive rural development across Lagos State.
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Reporting by David Okoroafor, News Writer in Lagos, Nigeria.
