Agora Policy, a think tank, will host a conversation on deepening accountability, democracy and good governance in Nigeria’s 774 LGAs.

The event will hold on Monday, August 5 at the Yar’Adua main hall in Abuja.

The dialogue follows the judgment by the Supreme Court which granted financial autonomy to local councils and confirmed that it is illegal for LGAs to be run by caretaker committees appointed by state governors.

“Together with support from the MacArthur Foundation, the policy conversation is designed to pinpoint practical ways to ensure that implementation of the Supreme Court decision leads to positive change in local government across the country and, ultimately, to significant improvements in citizen well-being,” it said in the statement.

The event is in collaboration with BudgIT Foundation, Yiaga Africa, Center for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity, Premium Times and TheCable.

The theme of the event is “Enthroning Accountability in Local Governance in Nigeria”.

Waziri Adio, founder of Agora Policy, said financial autonomy for LGs should not be an end in itself but a means to more effective governance.

“Our considered view is that while financial autonomy to the LGAs is not a bad thing, in itself it may not change much unless it is supported by robust accountability mechanisms,” Adio said.

“Financial autonomy should not be an end in itself but a means to more effective governance, deeper democracy and better service delivery at the local level.

“However, there appears to be no automatic link between direct federation allocation to LGAs and the improved performance that we expect.

“It is therefore important to spend time identifying and considering how to place the other things needed to achieve more efficient, responsive and effective governance at the level of government closest to the people.”

Some of the panelists would be Aminu Maifata, National President of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON); Remi Aiyede, Professor of Political Institutions, Good Governance and Public Policy at the University of Ibadan; Samson Itodo, Managing Director of Yiaga Africa; and Bukky Shonibare, Managing Director of Invictus Africa.

Nabilah Usman of Radio Now would moderate the panel session.