In a significant move toward enhancing local governance in Lagos State, the House of Representatives has advanced a bill to its second reading that seeks to upgrade the state’s 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) to full-fledged Local Government Areas (LGAs). This legislative effort, if successful, will increase Nigeria’s total number of LGAs from 774 to 811, with Lagos State’s count rising from 20 to 57.
Background: The Creation of LCDAs in Lagos
The 37 LCDAs in Lagos were established in 2003 under the administration of then-Governor Bola Tinubu. Recognizing Lagos’s burgeoning population and its status as a megacity, Tinubu’s administration aimed to bring governance closer to the people by creating additional local councils. However, this move faced opposition from the federal government, leading to a legal battle that culminated in a Supreme Court ruling. The court acknowledged the constitutional validity of the creation process but stated that the new councils would remain inchoate until the National Assembly formally recognised them. As a result, these entities have functioned as LCDAs without full LGA status.
Details of the Proposed Bill
Titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) to Accommodate the Thirty-Seven (37) Development Area Councils of Lagos State as Full-Fledged Local Government Areas, Increasing the Total Number of Local Government Areas in the Federation to Eight Hundred and Eleven (811), and for Related Matters (HB. 1498),” the bill is sponsored by James Faleke, Babajimi Benson, Enitan Badru, and 19 other lawmakers. Its primary objective is to amend the constitution to officially recognize the 37 LCDAs as LGAs, thereby granting them full legal and operational status.
Implications for Lagos State
Should the bill become law, Lagos State will surpass Kano State, which currently has 44 LGAs, by having a total of 57 LGAs. This change is expected to enhance administrative efficiency, improve resource allocation, and foster more localised governance, addressing the needs of Lagos’s rapidly growing population.
Recent Developments and Stakeholder Reactions
In October 2024, the Lagos State House of Assembly proposed replacing the existing 37 LCDAs with newly designated Administrative Areas. This initiative aimed to align with a Supreme Court ruling granting financial autonomy to local governments and ensuring that only democratically elected councils could access federal funds. The proposed bill outlined the structure of local governance, recognising 20 LGAs as specified in the 1999 Constitution and establishing 37 Area Administrative Councils under these LGAs. These councils would be headed by Area Administrative Secretaries appointed by the Governor and funded by their respective LGAs.
During public hearings, various stakeholders expressed concerns about the potential impact on grassroots development. Hon. Rasak Ajala, Chairman of Odi Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA, argued that the changes could undermine local development efforts, noting that LCDAs had been pivotal in local administration. Senator Musiliu Obanikoro criticized the lack of publicity surrounding the public hearing and called for more inclusive consultations.
Despite these concerns, Speaker of the House Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, represented by Deputy Speaker Hon. Mojisola Meranda, described the bill as a significant step toward optimising local governance. He emphasised that the bill addressed the tenure of local government officials and sought to improve the separation of powers within LGAs, ensuring greater accountability.
Next Steps and Legislative Process
For the current bill to become law, it must pass through additional readings in the House of Representatives, receive concurrence from the Senate, and obtain the President’s assent. Given the historical context and the ongoing debates surrounding local governance structures in Lagos State, the bill’s progress will be closely monitored by stakeholders at all levels.
