Nigeria Times

As the submission date approaches for the report from the inter-ministerial committee on Local Government Areas (LGAs) autonomy, state governors in Nigeria are intensifying efforts to delay the enforcement of the Supreme Court ruling. This committee, led by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, is expected to finalize its report by October 13.

In 2019, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) established a regulation prohibiting transactions on joint accounts of state and local governments, mandating that funds be sent directly to local governments. This regulation also limited cash withdrawals from local government accounts to a maximum of ₦500,000 per day, with penalties for non-compliance. However, state governors, under the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, opposed this regulation, leading to its eventual revision.

In May 2024, the Federal Government filed a lawsuit aimed at curbing governors’ authority to receive and withhold federal allocations meant for local governments, seeking to prevent the unilateral dissolution of elected councils. The Supreme Court ruled on July 11 that governors cannot control local government funds and directed the Accountant-General of the Federation to ensure direct payments to local government accounts.

Following the ruling, the Federal Government formed a committee to facilitate the implementation of local government autonomy. This panel comprises several high-ranking officials, including the Minister of Finance, Attorney General, and representatives from local governments and state governors.

In a recent address marking Nigeria’s Independence Day, President Bola Tinubu pledged to uphold the financial autonomy of local governments, stating, “We are resolute in our determination to implement the Supreme Court judgment on the financial autonomy of local governments.” However, sources within the Presidency revealed that governors are pressuring officials to soften the enforcement of the Supreme Court ruling.

Hakeem Ambali, President of the National Union of Local Government Employees, confirmed that the committee is expected to submit its report by October 11 and expressed confidence in the President’s commitment to the issue.

Civil society organizations, including the Centre for Accountability and Open Leadership and the United Global Resolve for Peace, are urging the Federal Government to expedite the implementation of local government autonomy. They criticize governors for attempting to undermine the Supreme Court’s ruling, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the rule of law.

Debo Adeniran, chairman of the Centre for Accountability and Open Leadership, condemned the governors’ efforts, stating that their actions are self-serving and detrimental to local governance. Olaseni Shalom, Executive Director of the United Global Resolve for Peace, called for a bill in the National Assembly to eliminate ambiguity around local government autonomy and support fiscal independence.

The Coalition of United Political Parties has also urged immediate action from the Federal Government, emphasizing the urgency of implementing the Supreme Court ruling to ensure financial accountability at the local government level. They argue that any delay in enforcement undermines the integrity of the legal system and hinders local governance effectiveness.

Overall, the impending submission of the inter-ministerial committee’s report has heightened tensions between state governors and the Federal Government, raising concerns about the future of local government autonomy in Nigeria.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has expressed strong opposition to the recently introduced ₦50,000 fee by the National Examination Council (NECO) for reprinting certificates. This announcement was made by NECO’s Registrar, Dantani Wushishi, in Minna, Niger State.

According to NECO, the ₦50,000 fee for certificate reprints will be subject to periodic reviews, and requests will only be accepted within one year of the original certificate issuance.

NANS Clerk of the Senate, Comrade Abdulyekinn Odunayo, criticized this decision, labeling it an excessive and unfair commercialization of education. He argued that this fee would impose a significant financial burden on students, particularly in the current economic climate.

Odunayo stated, “The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) unequivocally condemns the outrageous decision by NECO to impose a ₦50,000 fee for certificate reprints. This draconian policy is a slap in the face of Nigerian students, who are already facing financial hardships and uncertainty.”

He emphasized that the fee would exacerbate financial exclusion, preventing many students from accessing their rightful certificates, and undermine NECO’s integrity regarding equitable education access.

NANS also raised concerns about NECO’s fee structures and transparency, suggesting potential fund mismanagement and inadequate service delivery. They urged NECO to reconsider its policies, advocating for a more student-friendly approach to education costs.

NANS has demanded an immediate reversal of the ₦50,000 fee and proposed that the charge be reduced, the certificate reprint period extended to five years, and that stakeholders engage in discussions to prioritize student interests in decision-making.

Odunayo concluded, “The National Association of Nigerian Students will not stand idly by while education is commercialized and students are exploited. We demand a reversal of the ₦50,000 fee, a reduction to a more affordable amount, an extension of the reprint request deadline to five years, and a stakeholder engagement process that ensures student-centric decision-making.”

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged its state councils to brace for the challenges ahead as public sector workers await the implementation of the new ₦70,000 minimum wage. NLC President, Joe Ajaero, emphasized that securing the wage increase is only half the battle, with the real challenge being its full and fair implementation.

Speaking at a workshop in Lagos for NLC’s southern state councils, Ajaero highlighted the importance of fair wages, stating, “When we fight for better wages, we are not asking for charity… we are fulfilling a sacred duty—to uplift the nation and secure the dignity of work.”

Reflecting on the struggle that led to the new minimum wage, Ajaero noted the fierce opposition and challenges faced during negotiations, and he warned that the road to full implementation will be equally difficult, urging workers to stay resolute.

The workshop, organized by Fredrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO), focused on strategies to ensure the effective implementation of the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act. Ajaero reminded leaders that their responsibility is to make sure the benefits of the new law reach all workers across Nigeria, warning of sanctions for any officials found colluding to deny workers their entitlements.