AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE IMPACT OF CORRUPTION ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT: Nigeria operates a federal structure and powers are shared among the component units. This is indicative that local government is the third tier of government and is expected to be autonomous in the discharge of its duties. This was the essence of the various reforms at the grassroot governance, especially, the 1976 local government reform that among others recognised the council as a third tier of government and with powers to execute certain functions.However, after many years of experimenting with the local government system, scholars have expressed concern over the parlous state of local councils in Nigeria and the apparent disconnect between it and the lives of the people. Therefore, if anyone is to examine the reasons for Nigeria‟s underdevelopment and the state of the nation, one should visit the local councils (Nwaodike, 2013). Consequently, the councils have failed to deliver in its responsibilities. This non-performance can be traced to many factors such as corrupt practices, lack of local autonomy, and lack of qualified personnel/manpower among others. Most critical of these factors is corruption.