During the 2025 National Summit of Local Government Service Commissions (LGSCs), I highlighted the profound importance of this gathering, particularly as it closely succeeded the 2024 reconvened National Council of the Civil Service Commissions of the federation and the Biennial Conference of the African Association of Public Service Commissions (AAPSCOMMS) held in Nairobi, Kenya. These consecutive events underscore a revitalized commitment within Nigeria‘s public administration sector to reaffirm its essential role as custodians of the civil service profession.
This renewed momentum represents a significant leap forward in enhancing public administration not only across Nigeria but throughout the African continent. The Federal Civil Service Commission is actively collaborating with the LGSCs Association to transform this enthusiasm into tangible progress.
Globally, local governance is increasingly recognized as a fundamental pillar for fortifying democratic institutions through decentralization. This is particularly vital in emerging democracies like Nigeria, where embedding democratic values at the grassroots level is crucial for sustainable development. The ongoing discourse on reforming local government-acknowledged as the indispensable third tier of governance-and granting it genuine autonomy is deeply rooted in this understanding.
At the heart of effective local government reform lies the empowerment of community members at the grassroots, who constitute the backbone of democratic governance. These local populations possess considerable political influence and are endowed with rich natural and human resources, all essential for addressing the entrenched challenges of persistent poverty. The strong communal ties typical of rural areas foster collective stewardship of shared resources, encouraging inclusive and sustainable development.
Harnessing local governance in this way not only advances broader democratic objectives but also aligns with international frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals. Initiatives aimed at financially empowering local governments highlight a wider imperative: for LGSCs to ensure that local governance institutions are adequately funded and equipped to contribute effectively to Nigeria’s national development and democratic aspirations.
The concept of the civil service commission (CSC) dates back to the 1885 Northcote-Trevelyan reforms in the United Kingdom, which aimed to embed meritocracy, professionalism, and commitment within the civil service. Its core function is to oversee recruitment and training processes that prioritize candidates dedicated to public service, emphasizing integrity and long-term commitment.
In Nigeria, the Federal Civil Service Commission and State CSCs were established prior to the creation of LGSCs under the 1976 local government reforms. These commissions possess constitutional authority to harmonize administrative and personnel policies, uphold professional standards to boost efficiency at the local government level, and supervise workforce planning, performance evaluation, career development, and training. A key measure of an LGSC’s effectiveness is its ability to protect and promote the autonomy of local governments.
The Local Autonomy Index serves as a vital tool for assessing the degree of independence enjoyed by local authorities. It examines whether local council officials are elected through transparent and fair processes, if local governments have control over their financial resources, their capacity to independently formulate and execute budgets, their right to seek judicial redress against interference from higher government tiers, and their administrative freedom in recruitment and appointments.
True autonomy for local governments is fundamentally linked to the enhancement of democratic governance in Nigeria. It empowers the third tier to efficiently utilize its resources and share of national revenue to drive poverty reduction, wealth creation, and economic development-key pillars for transforming Nigeria’s economic future.
The 1977 Ojetunji Aboyade Committee on Revenue Allocation recognized this by allocating a portion of the Federation Account revenue directly to local governments, acknowledging them as crucial development agents requiring skilled professionals. Coupled with the recent Supreme Court ruling affirming local government fiscal autonomy, Nigeria is poised for a transformative era where local governments transition from marginal fiscal entities into vibrant engines of growth.
However, this optimistic outlook must be tempered by ongoing challenges. Many local governments were initially established more as instruments of political patronage and manipulation rather than for administrative efficiency-a legacy that continues to erode their legitimacy and operational capacity as the third tier of government.
Olaopa, the current chair of the Federal Civil Service Commission and a Professor of Public Administration based in Abuja, remains a steadfast proponent of reforms aimed at fortifying the civil service and local governance systems.