Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has assured local government authorities of President Bola Tinubu’s backing for efforts to strengthen council administration, improve financial independence and build stronger institutions.
Uzodimma, who chairs the Progressive Governors’ Forum, made the commitment at the 2026 General Assembly of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria in Abuja. He stressed that local councils must function effectively for government policies to produce meaningful results in communities.
A statement released by ALGON on Sunday said the governor attended the gathering with the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley Udeh.
During his remarks, Uzodimma said the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda was intended to benefit all levels of government, including local councils.
He also assured participants that Tinubu remained supportive of measures to address challenges confronting local governments, especially financial independence, institutional development and the ability to fund their responsibilities.
The pledge comes as the country continues to grapple with questions surrounding the practical implementation of local government autonomy and the extent to which councils can independently manage their affairs.
In July 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that allocations from the Federation Account should be paid directly to democratically elected local government councils. The judgment also barred state governments from controlling funds constitutionally meant for the 774 local government areas.
Despite the ruling, concerns persist over direct funding arrangements, the credibility of local government elections and the capacity of councils to manage public resources transparently.
ALGON’s national president, Bello Lawal, chaired the assembly, which brought together representatives from local governments across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Lawal said the meeting reflected the association’s determination to strengthen grassroots administration and ensure local councils play a more effective role in the country’s governance system.
Participants examined the association’s activities and project reports since the previous general assembly in March 2021. They also discussed operational difficulties affecting ALGON and broader challenges limiting the performance of local government authorities.
Other items on the agenda included the approval of annual budgets, consideration of reports from key officers and a review of constitutional provisions identified by members as obstacles to the association’s effective operation.
According to ALGON, members endorsed the proposed constitutional changes through a resolution backed by an absolute majority.
The assembly also approved plans to reorganise the association’s Board of Trustees to replace members who had died, following the procedures established in its constitution.
Another decision was to rename the association’s administrative leadership position from Secretary-General to Director-General. The change, according to the statement, forms part of efforts to improve the performance of the national secretariat.
Lawal called on council officials to invest in stronger administrative systems and professional capacity, arguing that local governments needed to play a more prominent role in delivering public services.
He added that ALGON would align its programmes and reforms with the Renewed Hope Agenda, with the objective of improving services across Nigeria’s local government areas and area councils.
The association’s Deputy National President and chairman of its Constitution Amendments Planning Committee, Ikenna Adikibe, praised Uzodimma for attending the gathering, describing his presence as an important contribution to the assembly.
Mohammed Abubakar, whom ALGON identified as a former promoter of a rival factional leadership, was also present.
The meeting ended with the association restating its commitment to improving council administration, strengthening governance at the community level and ensuring that local governments deliver better services to residents.
