Local Government Administration and Insecurity in Nigeria

Abstract

If allowed to operate effectively, the local government system can address Nigeria's rising level of insecurity and is extremely important to the development of rural areas. Given the roles the local government system plays in rural areas including infrastructure provision, human capital development, participatory governance, rural economic sustainability, and rural population empowerment: this paper is extremely pertinent. The government is investing vast sums of money to crack down on those deemed a threat to security from all geopolitical zones because insecurity has risen to unimaginable levels in recent years. The purpose of this paper is to inform the federal government that more work needs to be done on its functioning system by encouraging the third tier of government to operate with complete autonomy free from state intervention. In Nigeria, local government administration and insecurity were examined using qualitative analysis. Suppose the local government operates to its full potential. In that case, rural residents will be empowered, rural-urban migration will be reduced, the local economy will be strengthened, and young people will have access to direct and indirect employment, preventing them from becoming victims of crime that fuels instability or being readily used as political thugs during elections. Poverty and unemployment, perceived injustice and unfairness, and electoral violence, Nigeria has been plagued by security threats, including the proliferation of small and light weapons. Among the numerous problems facing the local government are the state's repressive authority, corruption, and the meager revenue base it faces when dealing with security issues. In addition to enhancing citizens' well-being, good governance, helping widows, and empowering grassroots citizens will address the root causes of insecurity at the local government level.