Local Government service commission and challenges of Local government Autonomy in Nigeria: An Evaluation

This paper captioned local government service commission and challenges of autonomy explored the meaning of local government, functions of local service commission, the unified local government service and local government autonomy. The historical background of local government administration in Nigeria was examined. The paper highlighted local government reforms in Nigeria and evaluated the problems of local government in relation to local government service commission, where emphasis was placed on lack of autonomy, non clarity of the constitution on the issue of autonomy for the third tier and undue interference by the other tiers of government, thereby making local government an appendage of state government. The establishment of this commission no doubt is a welcome development in the local government structure in Nigeria. But what should be avoided in its operation is executive interference and appointment of inexperienced members in the commission. This paper suggested measures which include Need for further reform to clear the confusion and intriques in the affairs of LG and its commission, Unnecessary bureaucracies like the ministry of local government should be reduced to the barest minimum to enable Local government system performing their constitutional functions effectively as the third tier of government in Nigeria. Key words: Local government, Autonomy, Local government civil service commission, Reforms