A civil society organization, Leadership and Accountability Initiative, is to partner the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, in driving transparency and accountability at the grassroots level through its newly launched Local Government Accountability Project, Local-GAP.
Project Lead of Leadership and Accountability Initiative, Elder John Shuiabu, unveiled the project during a press briefing at the NUJ national secretariat in Abuja on Thursday, said the initiative was conceived to strengthen transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.
Shuiabu explained that the project is premised on the belief that “governance must work for the people at the grassroots” and that local governments, being the closest tier to the people, must deliver effectively on their constitutional mandate.
He lamented that for too long, the local government system had suffered from neglect, inefficiency and opacity, with basic services such as healthcare, education, sanitation and rural roads either poorly delivered or completely absent. According to him, this was not due to a lack of resources but largely the absence of accountability.
The Local Government Accountability Project, Local-GAP, is premised on the Supreme Court ruling which granted financial autonomy to the local governments.
“The Supreme Court’s landmark ruling granting financial autonomy to local governments has provided us with a golden opportunity to reset the system. Now more than ever, Nigerians need to see how their resources are being used, how decisions are made, and how leaders at the grassroots can be held accountable,” Shuiabu said.
Also speaking, the Head of Mission, Nwazuluahu H. Shield, stressed the critical role of the media in ensuring the success of the project. He noted that the press remains the conscience of society and the watchdog of democracy, hence the Initiative’s decision to seek the NUJ’s collaboration.
“For the Local-GAP to succeed, we need the courage and voice of the Nigerian press. We need journalists to shine their light into the dark corners of local governance, amplify citizens’ concerns, highlight best practices, and hold leaders accountable,” Shield stated.
The civic group pledged to provide data, tools, and platforms that will support the media’s watchdog role, including capacity-building for investigative reporting at the local government level, facilitation of state-wide town hall meetings, and the creation of open channels for citizens to monitor projects and expenditures.
The group further urged Nigerians to take ownership of the project by getting involved in governance at the grassroots.
“This project is about your roads, your schools, your health centers, your markets, and your future. Get involved, speak out, and hold your leaders accountable,” Shuiabu added.
The Leadership and Accountability Initiative in the same vein called on the NUJ and its members to partner in building a culture of transparency and accountability that will transform local governance and strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists pledged to work closely with the Leadership and Accountability Initiative to promote transparency, accountability, and service delivery at the state and local government levels.
The National President of the union , Alhassan Yahaya, in his speech at the event, commended the group for its focus on strengthening the local government system, describing the move as “both commendable and timely”.
The NUJ President noted that the Federal Government releases substantial resources to state and local governments on a monthly or quarterly basis. He cited the recent announcement of N2.2 trillion released to the three tiers of government as an example, stressing the need for civil society and professional bodies to ensure such funds are properly utilized.
“In line with this, I am directing the NUJ National Secretariat, alongside our state councils, to work closely with your organization for the betterment of governance in Nigeria,” he stated.
On the health sector, Yahaya drew attention to the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, released quarterly to support states and local governments, but questioned whether states were meeting their own obligations in complementing federal efforts to improve health indices.
He also expressed concern over the issue of local government autonomy, lamenting that funds released into local government accounts are not always accessible to council chairmen.
“This is one of the narratives we must collectively work to change,” he emphasized.
Looking ahead, the NUJ President disclosed plans to convene a meeting of leaders of all 37 state councils to jointly set an agenda and adopt a practical work plan with clear deliverables.
He assured that the Union is committed to partnering with the Leadership and Accountability Initiative to strengthen democratic governance, promote accountability, and safeguard the interests of citizens.
“Once again, let me express my deepest appreciation for this visit. It is our hope and prayer that, working hand in hand, we shall achieve these noble goals for the benefit of our people and our democracy,” Yahaya added.
Civic group partners NUJ on transparency in utilisation of LG allocations
