Northern Christian Youth Professionals Advocate for Direct Transfer of Local Government Funds

The Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) has emphasized the importance of directly transferring Local Government revenues from the Revenue Allocation Account Committee into the bank accounts of Local Government Councils in Nigeria. This call follows the landmark ruling by the Supreme Court on July 11, 2024, which affirmed the financial autonomy of local governments, declaring it unconstitutional for governors to withhold funds allocated to local councils.

In a statement issued on Monday, NCYP Chairman Isaac Abrak praised the Supreme Court’s decision, noting that it mandates the direct disbursement of local government funds from the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) to the councils. The ruling, delivered by a seven-member panel led by Justice Emmanuel Agim, ensures that governors can no longer control or withhold these funds.

To facilitate the direct transfer, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) has set up a dedicated unit to oversee this process, ensuring that all 774 local governments across Nigeria receive their due allocations without interference.

The NCYP also urged Local Government Chairmen to be responsible in managing the newly received funds, and called for increased collaboration with local communities to ensure the resources are used effectively for development. In addition, the group called on civil society organizations and advocacy groups to organize educational programs to raise awareness about the importance of holding local governments accountable for fund utilization.

To further strengthen accountability, the NCYP called for the establishment of dedicated monitoring units within agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). These units would monitor the use of funds and prosecute any misuse.

The group also highlighted the role of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in reorienting local government leaders and communities about the critical role of these funds in promoting grassroots and national development.

In closing, NCYP commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its commitment to implementing the Supreme Court’s judgment, and urged for periodic training workshops to improve the budgeting skills of Local Government Chairmen. They also stressed the importance of public disclosure of local government budgets to foster transparency and avoid false accusations or political manipulation.

The NCYP praised the support of state governors for local government autonomy, stressing that the goal of autonomy is to drive grassroots development without imposing burdens on the local governments. By emulating successful models such as the counties in the United States, Nigerian Local Government Councils can unlock their potential to become powerful engines of development.