Programmes

Making Local Governance Work

The local government is probably the most neglected tier of government in Nigeria today despite its constitutional responsibility for the provision of basic services to the public. Local governments possess a unique capacity to address the core needs of local communities due to their proximity and ability to understand the local context and its specific needs. Ongoing reform for accountability at the state and federal levels of government will have little or no impact if local governments are not enabled to operate transparently, and to provide efficient service delivery to their citizens.
To support the third tier of government in its delivery of services to local communities, OST, in partnership with the Ford Foundation, is conducting a critical study of local governance processes and practices in Nigeria to identify governance challenges at the local level and disseminate examples of good practices of local governments. This study will also examine current local government management and practice on ground. In addition, to strengthen the development of a body of knowledge on local governance, good practices of outstanding local government performers will be publicised and used to inform institutional policy development on local governance strategies.

The OST Local Governance Programme is focused on three objectives:
Systematically identify the top-three performing local governments in each geo-political zone using clearly defined criteria;
Rigorously document good local governance practice in Nigeria which provides pro-poor service delivery and fosters accountability;
Use the insights generated in the course of the above activities aimed at raising the profile of Nigerian local governments within the country's democratic system and stimulate public discourse on local governance reform.