The Speak Out Africa Initiative (SOAI) has called on the Federal Government to grant full financial and political autonomy to local government authorities, including expanding the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meetings to accommodate Local Government Area (LGA) representatives.
This demand was made by SOAI Lead Director, Engr. Kenneth Eze, during the close-out session of the Local Open Governance Initiative in Nigeria (LOGINAIJA) and the presentation of its pilot LGA report in Abuja.
Eze outlined four key demands to enhance LGA functionality in Nigeria:
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Financial Autonomy – by including LGAs in FAAC deliberations;
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Political Autonomy – urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct all LGA elections for fairness and credibility;
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Banking Access – mandating LGAs to maintain accounts with commercial banks, as directed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN);
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Donor Support – calling on development partners to fund Open Government Partnership (OGP) efforts at the grassroots.
“LOGINAIJA was launched in April 2024 to promote accountability, build capacity, and push for the domestication of the Freedom of Information Act at the local level,” Eze said. “The pilot phase focused on Gwagwalada Area Council (FCT), Umuahia North LGA (Abia State), and Ibadan North-West LGA (Oyo State), representing different geopolitical zones and political parties.”
He noted that all three LGAs achieved significant milestones, including the establishment of functional websites, appointment of FOI desk officers, and strengthened executive-legislative collaboration.
Eze announced plans to scale the initiative to 50 LGAs in its second phase, with support from the MacArthur Foundation and other partners.
Also speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of Umuahia North LGA, Hon. Smart Iheoma, praised the initiative’s impact, stating:
“What we met on the ground was poor, but we have transformed every aspect of the LGA. The people are the ultimate beneficiaries. We’re inspired by the transformational leadership of the Governor of Abia State, who is currently the best the state has had.”
Speak Out Africa Initiative is a non-governmental organization focused on empowering marginalized communities—especially women and youth—through advocacy, capacity building, and service delivery.
