RMAFC Champions Financial Independence for Local Governments
By Patience Ikpeme
The Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has declared its strong support for the financial autonomy of local governments in Nigeria, asserting that governance at the grassroots level is a crucial foundation for national progress.
Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, made this known while hosting a delegation from the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), led by its Director General, Barrister Evan Enekwe, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
Dr. Shehu stated that the Commission has consistently advocated for the fiscal independence of the third tier of government and welcomed the recent Supreme Court judgment that affirmed the financial autonomy of local councils as a significant achievement.
“We have always been on record as a Commission that strongly advocates for Local Government financial autonomy,” Dr. Shehu affirmed. “The recent Supreme Court judgment affirming this autonomy is a victory not just for ALGON but for the nation. Development truly begins at the grassroots, and without empowered local governments, our national aspirations will continue to lag.”
To ensure the proper execution of the new legal framework, Dr. Shehu disclosed that RMAFC is in the process of reconstituting a committee comprising Commissioners representing each state. This committee will engage with stakeholders across the country to facilitate the implementation. According to him, “We will continue to advocate and talk to stakeholders to see this through.”
He also assured the ALGON delegation of the Commission’s backing for their various programs and initiatives, including the upcoming National Sustainable Grassroots Development Conference scheduled to take place in Abuja from April 29 to 30, 2025.
“The Commission will support your conference and broader objectives. We are on the side of constitutionalism, equity, and grassroots development,” the Chairman stated.
On her part, ALGON Director General, Barr. Evan Enekwe, stated the urgency of increasing revenue allocation to local councils and making financial autonomy a tangible reality.
“Increased revenue allocation to local governments is not just necessary—it is urgent. Financial autonomy and improved funding will accelerate development at the grassroots. We thank RMAFC and other progressive institutions for championing this cause,” she said.
Barr. Enekwe reiterated ALGON’s two-decades-long advocacy for a more equitable revenue sharing formula, expressing concern over the persistent delays in implementing genuine reforms. “For over 20 years, the conversation has remained the same, and it is time for real change,” she added.
She commended RMAFC’s dedication to local government empowerment and called for continued collaboration between the two institutions to achieve meaningful progress at the community level.
Also speaking during the visit, the Federal Commissioner representing Kwara State, Hon. Ismail Mohammed Agaka, voiced criticism regarding the excessive control exerted by state governors over local government structures, describing it as a major impediment to the effective functioning of grassroots administration.
“Today, most local governments exist only in theory, their powers hijacked by governors. We look forward to functional and sustainable local councils as enshrined in the constitution,” he said.
Similarly, Hon. Rakiya Tanko Ayuba Haruna, representing Kebbi State on the Commission, referenced her 2022 national policy paper on Strengthening Local Governance in Nigeria at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), which aligns with ALGON’s objectives for the transformation of local governments.
