From Layi Olanrewaju, Ilorin
Alhaji Makanjuola Yahaya Lanre, a real estate developer and grassroots political advocate, has cautioned that the Supreme Court’s July 2024 ruling granting financial autonomy to Nigeria’s 774 local government areas (LGAs) could widen inequality between wealthy and under-resourced communities without careful implementation.
Speaking on Wednesday at the 6th Nigerian Union of Journalists Sobi FM Chapel Strategic Media Seminar in Ilorin, Kwara State, themed “Grassroots Governance and Security: A Framework for Sustainable National Development”, Makanjuola, CEO of Darosa Properties Management and Construction Ltd and Chairman of the O2 Liberation Movement, praised the ruling for enabling councils to plan and execute projects independently.
He stated, “Without doubt, this decision marks a new dawn for local government administration in Nigeria. For the first time in decades, councils can now plan, budget, and execute projects without state interference.”
However, he warned of risks, saying, “Financial independence means local governments now rely solely on what they can generate and what they receive directly from the centre. Wealthier LGAs will thrive. But what happens to rural councils with low revenue bases?”
Makanjuola remarked on public misconceptions about LGA capacities, noting, “People expect well-paved roads, stable power, quality schools, and healthcare, yet demand lower taxes. That’s not sustainable.”
He stressed that urban councils like Ilorin West may benefit, but rural LGAs in Kwara and Nigeria risk lagging without an equalisation mechanism. He added, “Democracy works best when citizens can track what their taxes are doing. But it also fails when some areas can’t even generate enough to pay staff or clear refuse.”
Makanjuola advocated for fiscal autonomy balanced with intergovernmental support and equity-based redistribution, stating, “Let autonomy not become abandonment. The federal government must step in with policy safeguards.”
He linked stronger LGAs to improved security, saying, “The battle for true federalism is not just at the national level; it starts with your ward councillor, your LG chairman, and how your Naira is spent.”