Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has called on the Federal Government and relevant stakeholders to replace the designation of Local Government “Chairman” with “Mayor,” arguing that the existing title undermines the executive authority of the office.
In a post shared on his official Facebook page on Sunday, Sani said the word “Chairman” sounds more like a committee position than an executive office, thereby downplaying the importance of local government as the third tier of governance in Nigeria.
“The title of Local Government ‘Chairman’ should be changed to ‘Mayor.’ The current title does not reflect an executive role and is meaningless,” he wrote.
He explained that adopting “Mayor” as the official designation, as is the practice in several democracies, would elevate the dignity of the office and bring Nigeria’s local governance system in line with global standards.
Sani’s suggestion comes amid ongoing nationwide debates over local government autonomy, funding, and efficiency.
The former senator, well known for his forthright stance on governance reforms, argued that titles are more than semantics, they influence public perception and the respect accorded to the office.
