Dr. AbdulFatai Buhari, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation and APC Senator representing Oyo North, has stated that the Joint Accounts Committee (JAC) system and the lack of financial autonomy are major obstacles to development at Nigeria’s local government level.

Buhari explained that the JAC system allows state governments to control funds allocated to local councils, often resulting in misappropriation or diversion of resources meant for grassroots projects.

He made these remarks during a lecture at the grand finale of the 3rd anniversary of Ibadan Mega Voice on Sunday. The event was attended by traditional leaders, political representatives, and key stakeholders, including Oba Tajudeen Abimbola Ajibola, Dr. Adebukola Kadiri, Akin Alabi, and others.

In his lecture titled “Local Government Autonomy in Nigeria: Impact, Prospects, and Challenges”, Buhari highlighted the adverse consequences of this dependence:

• Many local governments suffer stunted development due to reliance on state governments.
• Local councils often cannot complete critical infrastructure projects, such as primary health centers in Ebonyi State or inner roads in Oyo State, due to withheld funds or political interference.
• Local governments are reduced to administrative extensions of state ministries, eroding public confidence and weakening Nigeria’s development framework.

Buhari added that financial dependence further exacerbates the problem. He noted:

“The joint account system allows state governments to manage funds meant for local councils, often leading to misappropriation or diversion. This has rendered local councils fiscally impotent and administratively irrelevant.”

He also pointed to limited internal revenue generation, absence of transparent auditing, and lack of citizen participation platforms as additional challenges restricting autonomy. State governments often justify their control by citing corruption and inefficiency at the local level, creating a paradox where over-regulation further weakens performance.

Buhari concluded that for local governments to fulfill their role as engines of grassroots development, financial independence, accountability, and genuine autonomy are essential.