Maryam Aminu
The Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, OFR, has restated the Commission’s firm commitment to financial autonomy for local governments across Nigeria, calling grassroots governance a cornerstone of national development.
Dr. Shehu made the statement during a courtesy visit by the Director General of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Barr. Evan Enekwe, who led a delegation to the RMAFC Headquarters in Abuja.
“We have always been on record as a Commission that strongly advocates for Local Government financial autonomy,” Dr. Shehu said. “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.”
He announced plans to re-establish a committee of Commissioners drawn from each state to liaise with stakeholders and support the implementation of the Supreme Court’s ruling. “We will continue to advocate and talk to stakeholders to see this through,” he added.
Dr. Shehu also pledged the Commission’s support for ALGON’s initiatives, including its upcoming National Sustainable Grassroots Development Conference scheduled for April 29–30, 2025.
L-R: Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu and Barr. Evan Enekwe
In her remarks, Barr. Evan Enekwe expressed appreciation for the Commission’s longstanding position on local government empowerment. “Increased revenue allocation to local governments is not just necessary it is urgent,” she said. “Financial autonomy and improved funding will accelerate development at the grassroots. We thank RMAFC and other progressive institutions for championing this cause.”
She also emphasized the need for lasting reforms in revenue sharing. “For over 20 years, the conversation has remained the same, and it is time for real change,” she said.
Commissioners of the RMAFC also voiced their support for stronger collaboration with ALGON. Hon. Rakiya Tanko Ayuba Haruna (Kebbi State), recalled her work at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), where she co-authored a policy paper on strengthening local governance. Similarly, Hon. Ismail Mohammed Agaka (Kwara State), lamented the erosion of local government powers by state governments, stating, “Today, most local governments exist only in theory. Their powers have been hijacked by governors.”
Other members of the ALGON delegation included Salawu Nuhu Ozigi, FCA (Director of Finance and Accounts), Lawal Ibrahim (Director, Admin & Human Resources), Obiora Orji (Head of Media and Publicity), and Lateefa Isah (Principal Consultant on the Sustainable Grassroots Development Programme).
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