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POL 208 Course Outline

The course POL 208: Local Government in Nigeria examines the structure, functions, and challenges of local government, emphasizing its historical development and constitutional framework. It aims to provide students with an understanding of local governance, its role in grassroots development, and the challenges it faces. The course includes a detailed outline covering topics such as service delivery, political representation, and comparative analysis with other countries.

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78 views6 pages

POL 208 Course Outline

The course POL 208: Local Government in Nigeria examines the structure, functions, and challenges of local government, emphasizing its historical development and constitutional framework. It aims to provide students with an understanding of local governance, its role in grassroots development, and the challenges it faces. The course includes a detailed outline covering topics such as service delivery, political representation, and comparative analysis with other countries.

Uploaded by

senioradvocatejamesemmanuel
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Course Code: POL 208

Course Title: Local government in Nigeria.


Here is a course content and outline for POL 208: Local Government in Nigeria for an undergraduate
class:

Course Description:
This course examines the structure, functions, and challenges of local government in Nigeria. It explores
the historical development, constitutional framework, and administrative organization of local
government, as well as its role in promoting grassroots development and democratic governance.

Course Objectives:
- Understand the concept and importance of local government in Nigeria.

- Analyze the historical development and constitutional framework of local government in Nigeria.

- Examine the structure and functions of local government in Nigeria.

- Evaluate the challenges and opportunities facing local government in Nigeria.

- Apply theoretical concepts to real-world problems in local government in Nigeria.

Course Outline:
Week 1: Introduction to Local Government in Nigeria.

- Definition and importance of local government.

- Historical development of local government in Nigeria.

Week 2: Constitutional Framework of Local Government in Nigeria.

- Constitutional provisions relating to local government.

- Legal framework and powers of local government.

Week 3: Structure and Organization of Local Government in Nigeria.

- Types of local government in Nigeria (e.g., councils, districts, etc.).

- Administrative organization and personnel management.


Week 4: Functions and Responsibilities of Local Government in Nigeria.

- Service delivery and public goods provision.

- Economic development and planning.

Week 5: Challenges Facing Local Government in Nigeria.

- Political, economic, and social challenges.

- Financial management and resource constraints.

Week 6: Local Government and Grassroots Development in Nigeria.

- Community development and participation.

- Rural development and poverty reduction.

Week 7: Local Government and Democratic Governance in Nigeria.

- Electoral processes and political representation.

- Accountability and transparency in local government.

Week 8: Case Studies in Local Government in Nigeria.

- Success stories and challenges in selected local governments.

Week 9: Comparative Analysis of Local Government in Nigeria and Other Countries.

- International perspectives and best practices.


Week 10: Conclusion and Policy Recommendations.

- Summary of key takeaways.

- Policy recommendations for improving local government in Nigeria.

Assessment:
- Class participation and engagement (10%)

- Written assignments and case studies (10%)

- Midterm and final exams (70%)

- Research paper or project (10%)

Recommended Textbooks and Readings:


- Federal Republic of Nigeria. (1999). Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

- Oyediran, O. (2017). Local Government in Nigeria: A Study of Its Evolution, Structure, and Functions.
Lagos: University of Lagos Press.

- Adedeji, A. (2018). Local Government and Grassroots Development in Nigeria. Abuja: National Institute
for Policy and Strategic Studies.

- Journal articles and online resources as assigned in class.

Scholars in Nigeria have conceptualized local government in various ways, including:

1. Agent of Development: Local government is seen as a crucial agent for


promoting economic development, social welfare, and political stability at the grassroots level
(Oyediran, 2017).

2. Third Tier of Government: Local government is viewed as the third tier of


government in Nigeria's federal system, responsible for providing basic services and governance at the
local level (Adeyemi, 2018).
3. Grassroots Governance: Local government is conceptualized as a platform for
citizens' participation, community engagement, and democratic governance at the local level (Agagu,
2017).

4. Service Delivery: Local government is seen as responsible for providing essential public
services like healthcare, education, water supply, and sanitation (Olowu, 2018).

5. Decentralization: Local government is viewed as a key aspect of decentralization,


enabling the devolution of power and resources from the federal and state governments (Oyediran,
2017).

6. Local Self-Government: Local government is conceptualized as a means of


empowering local communities to manage their affairs, make decisions, and develop their areas
(Adeyemi, 2018).

7. Rural Development: Local government is seen as crucial for promoting rural


development, poverty reduction, and human development in rural areas (Agagu, 2017).

8. Political Representation: Local government is viewed as a platform for political


representation, enabling citizens to elect representatives to represent their interests (Olowu, 2018).

9. Conflict Resolution: Local government is conceptualized as a means of resolving


local conflicts, promoting peace, and maintaining social order (Oyediran, 2017).

10. Accountability: Local government is seen as more accountable to citizens than higher
levels of government, as citizens can more easily engage with local officials and hold them accountable
(Adeyemi, 2018).

These conceptions highlight the significance of local government in Nigeria, emphasizing its role in
development, governance, service delivery, decentralization, and political representation.
The historical development of local government in Nigeria can be
broken down into the following milestones:

Pre-colonial era: The local government system in Nigeria dates back to


the pre-colonial era when each community was administered in various ways. This
included provincial, kingship and empires systems. Each community had its own
distinct system of governance, which was simple but effective.

Colonial era: The British colonial government introduced the system


of indirect rule, which involved the use of traditional rulers and institutions
to administer the country. This system was used to govern the country until
Nigeria gained independence in 1960.

Post-independence: After Nigeria gained independence, the


country continued to use the system of indirect rule. However, this system
was later abolished in 1976, and a new local government system was
introduced. This system involved the creation of local government councils,
which were responsible for providing basic services such as healthcare,
education, water supply and sanitation.

1976 local government reform: The 1976 local government


reform introduced a uniform system of local government throughout the
country. This reform also led to the creation of new local government
councils, which increased the number of local governments in the country.

1988 civil service reforms: The 1988 civil service reforms introduced a new
system of local government administration, which involved the decentralization of power and
the creation of new local government councils.
1999 constitution: The 1999 constitution of Nigeria established
local government as the third tier of government in the country. This
constitution also provided for the creation of local government councils and
the allocation of funds to them.

Present day: Today, Nigeria has a total of 774 local government


councils, which are responsible for providing basic services to the people.
The local government system in Nigeria continues to evolve, with new
reforms and initiatives being introduced to improve the delivery of services
to the people.

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