Between January and June 2025 alone, billions of naira have poured into Nigeria’s states and local governments from the Federation Account. By official figures, allocations are staggering: South-South states received ₦1.56 trillion, the South-West ₦1.14 trillion, the North-West ₦1.13 trillion, North Central ₦799.05 billion, North East ₦745.11 billion, and the South-East ₦650.02 billion.
On paper, every local government area (LGA) in the country has been smiling to the bank. Each LGA is said to receive between ₦250 million and ₦400 million every single month. Yet, the same LG chairmen keep crying broke, unable to provide the most basic amenities. The big question is: if this money is really untouched as the governors insist, why is there so little to show for it?
Let’s break it down: how many LGAs can boast of lighting up their communities with transformers, not one or two token units, but a real, functional power network? How many can point to even one kilometer of road constructed from start to finish, not patched or politicized? Where are the new schools, or the renovated old ones? Where are the health centers fully equipped and staffed?
Instead, some chairmen are reportedly borrowing money to do the barest minimum and paying back in installments. Why? Why are governors building health centers and revamping schools, jobs squarely under local government jurisdiction, while insisting they don’t touch LG funds? If state funds are also flowing monthly, where is that money going?
Even more troubling is the so-called “joint account” between state and local governments. If governors swear they don’t tamper with allocations, why insist on this joint account system? Why can’t LG chairmen send their account details directly to the Central Bank and receive their funds without middlemen?
The truth is uncomfortable: either our council bosses lack the capacity to manage what they receive, or the money is being swallowed up before it reaches the grassroots. Whichever way, the people are shortchanged.
So, the next time you wonder why your street is in darkness, why your children sit under leaking classroom roofs, or why the nearest health post has no drugs, don’t just complain. Ask: Where is the money?
