LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION IN NIGERIA: A PANACEA FOR GRASSROOTS DEVELOPMENT EVIDENCE FROM AKOKO EDO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, EDO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Local government administration in Nigeria, as the third tier of government, is designed to promote participatory democracy and bring governance closer to the people. It plays a vital role in fostering grassroots socio-economic development through the provision of essential services such as healthcare, education, sanitation, and rural infrastructure. This study examines the effectiveness of local government administration as a panacea for grassroots development, using Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo State as a case study. A descriptive survey design was adopted, and data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Descriptive and correlation analyses assessed the relationships among administrative performance, fiscal autonomy, citizen participation, and socio-economic development. Findings show that local government administration moderately enhances grassroots development (Mean = 3.69, SD = 0.81). Administrative performance (Mean = 3.84), fiscal decentralization (Mean = 3.73), and financial autonomy (Mean = 3.65) positively influence local government effectiveness (Mean = 3.71). Community participation (Mean = 3.79) and citizen engagement (Mean = 3.67) also significantly improve development outcomes. Correlation results indicate strong positive relationships among the variables (r = 0.719–0.756, p < 0.01), validating Decentralization Theory. The study concludes that strengthening fiscal autonomy, administrative capacity, and citizen participation is crucial for effective grassroots governance. It recommends enhanced administrative efficiency, full fiscal decentralization, participatory governance, and reduced political interference to reposition local governments as catalysts for sustainable development in Nigeria.