By Solomon OKPO
Local Government Chairmen across Nigeria have come under renewed pressure to demonstrate transparency and deliver tangible development projects following the disbursement of ₦591.39 billion to the country’s 774 local government councils as their June 2026 allocation from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC).
Governance advocate, Ikpat UduakAbasi, who made the call in a public commentary, described the allocation as a critical test of leadership, accountability and grassroots democracy, stressing that no council chairman could legitimately claim lack of funds to execute essential public services.
According to him, the average allocation of about ₦764 million per local government before statutory deductions provides sufficient financial backing to improve primary healthcare, basic education, rural road infrastructure, water supply and social welfare programmes.
He lamented that while public attention has traditionally focused on federal and state budgets, the local government system—the tier closest to the people—has largely escaped public scrutiny despite its constitutional responsibility for delivering basic services.
“The money has arrived in the councils’ accounts. Nigerians must now ask where the impact is,” he said.
UduakAbasi urged citizens to demand full disclosure of allocations received by their councils, including details of statutory deductions and expenditure plans. He also called on council chairmen to publish their financial records on public notice boards and digital platforms to promote openness and accountability.
He further stressed that residents should insist on visible improvements in primary healthcare centres, public schools, markets, rural roads and other community infrastructure rather than allowing public funds to be consumed by administrative costs and political patronage.
The governance advocate also advocated more inclusive decision-making through regular town hall meetings, where community members would participate in determining development priorities.
He noted that the ongoing push for greater local government autonomy would only be meaningful if it translates into measurable improvements in the lives of ordinary Nigerians at the grassroots.
According to him, journalists, civil society organisations and citizens must intensify efforts to monitor how FAAC allocations are utilised, ensuring that public funds reach their intended beneficiaries, including rural families, schoolchildren and farmers.
UduakAbasi added that the success of President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda and Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda would ultimately be measured by the quality of governance and service delivery at the local government level.
He described the June FAAC allocation as more than a financial disbursement, saying it represents a defining test of responsible leadership and democratic accountability.
“The money has landed. Nigerians are now waiting to see the impact,” he stated.
