The Nigerian House of Representatives has advanced a bill proposing the conversion of Lagos State’s 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) into fully recognized Local Government Areas (LGAs), raising the number of LGAs in the state from 20 to 57. The bill, sponsored by Hon. James Faleke and backed by 21 other lawmakers, successfully scaled through its second reading and seeks to amend Section 3 of the First Schedule of the 1999 Constitution. If enacted, Nigeria’s total constitutionally recognized LGAs would increase from 774 to 811.
The proposal revives a structure introduced during President Bola Tinubu’s tenure as Lagos governor which led to a dispute with the federal government under then-President Olusegun Obasanjo, which resulted in Lagos’ federal allocations being withheld. The bill aims to grant the proposed LGAs direct access to federal allocations and expanded administrative powers, which supporters argue will improve grassroots governance in Nigeria’s most populous state.
While proponents view the move as a catalyst for local development, critics caution of its fiscal implications including the potential strain on revenue sharing. The bill will now proceed to committee stages and public hearings after which it may return to the House for further consideration.
