Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has formally signed into law the Nasarawa State Local Government Law 2024, recently passed by the State House of Assembly.
The signing ceremony, held at the Government House in Lafia, represents a significant shift in local government operations across Nasarawa. With the new law, local government areas will experience increased financial autonomy, further aligning state practices with the Supreme Court’s mandate for independent local councils across Nigeria.
During the ceremony, Governor Sule acknowledged the invaluable support from key legislative figures, notably the Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau, and other Assembly members, whose commitment facilitated the law’s passage. He also praised contributions from various stakeholders and community representatives whose input helped shape the law. Governor Sule remarked that this development reflects the administration’s dedication to improving accountability, transparency, and overall governance effectiveness at the grassroots level.
A major highlight of the Nasarawa State Local Government Law 2024 is the abolishment of the local government joint account system, a centralized financial structure previously used across states. The governor emphasized that the elimination of joint accounts is a decisive step toward ensuring direct financial control by local governments, fostering greater accountability and responsible management of local resources. The new law aligns with the Supreme Court’s recent judgment, which endorsed local governments’ financial independence as a necessary measure for fostering equitable and effective governance across Nigeria’s states.
In addition to financial reforms, the law sets the foundation for establishing Area Administrative Councils within Nasarawa. These councils will be appointed by the governor and screened by the State Assembly to ensure that each council meets high standards of governance. Governor Sule stated that ‘this provision aims to bring governance closer to the people, allowing communities to have a more immediate influence on decision-making at the local level’.
The law also facilitates the formation of the Nasarawa State Economic Council, a body designed to enhance economic coordination across state and local governments. This council will serve as a forum for aligning policies and initiatives that support Nasarawa’s economic growth and sustainable development, addressing issues that impact both the state and its localities directly.
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Speaker Danladi Jatau, who was present at the ceremony, highlighted the extensive legislative procedures undertaken to pass the bill into law. He emphasized that the Assembly rigorously adhered to the principles of the Supreme Court’s ruling on local government autonomy. The Speaker noted that the law had undergone thorough scrutiny to ensure it met the needs of local government areas while respecting the constitutional requirement for financial independence at this level of governance.
Earlier, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Labaran Magaji, provided insights into the legal process, noting that the law went through several layers of review to uphold inclusivity and public interest. Barrister Magaji explained that the law had been designed to align closely with the Supreme Court’s ruling, thereby promoting a transparent and financially independent local government system. He praised Governor Sule for endorsing the bill, which he believes will pave the way for a more equitable distribution of resources across Nasarawa.
Governor Sule concluded the event by reiterating his administration’s commitment to implementing policies that empower local communities and strengthen governance structures across Nasarawa State. He urged local leaders to embrace their new roles with integrity, stressing that with increased autonomy comes a heightened responsibility to deliver impactful governance at the local level.
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