Backing the recent Supreme Court decision granting full financial autonomy to local government councils, Vice President Kashim Shettima believes this development will significantly improve Nigeria’s universal basic education system.
Expressing his support at the public launch of the book ‘Navigating the Politics of Universal Education Policies in Nigeria’ authored by former Ekiti State Deputy Governor Modupe Adelabu in Abuja, the Vice President emphasized the potential benefits of local government autonomy while cautioning against potential misuse of this newfound independence.
Highlighting the crucial role of local government councils in overseeing primary education, Shettima remarked on how granting autonomy could address financial constraints that have traditionally impeded governmental educational initiatives.
Assuring the public of ongoing reforms championed by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, he affirmed that these efforts aim to rectify existing deficiencies and combat challenges hindering the progress of universal education in the country.
Since the Supreme Court ruling, which directs the Federal Government to allocate 20.60% of monthly funds directly to the exclusive accounts of the 774 local government areas rather than through governor-controlled accounts, approximately 15 states have either conducted or announced upcoming local government elections.
This landmark judgement also serves to prevent overreach by governors by prohibiting them from arbitrarily dissolving democratically elected local government councils.