Senator Suleiman Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila has expressed concern that, in spite of the enormous sums of money given to local governments nationwide, poverty and youth unemployment are still pervasive at the grassroots level.
Speaking to reporters, the senator from Kano South claimed that despite receiving ₦130.74 billion between January and June 2025, the living circumstances of the 44 Local Government Areas in Kano State alone had not improved.
He clarified that during that time, Kano North’s 13 LGAs received ₦35.87 billion, Kano South’s 16 LGAs received ₦45.46 billion, and Kano Central’s 15 LGAs received ₦49.42 billion. Tofa received the least amount, ₦2.34 billion, while Nassarawa LGA received the most, ₦5.12 billion.
Kawu bemoaned, “Despite this financial windfall, poverty levels show little to no reduction, healthcare is overburdened, schools are underfunded, and youth unemployment still hovers above 40 percent in many states.”
According to him, the issue is that local governments lack autonomy, which traps resources in red tape rather than using them to help the public.
“Consider what if our local governments were free to administer their grants, internally generated income, and allocations? They might improve schools and hospitals, empower local contractors, increase local markets, hire our young people, and react quickly to catastrophes. However, communities would continue to be undeveloped in the absence of autonomy,” he stated.
Kawu maintained that LGA autonomy is “long overdue” and called for immediate changes to ensure their administrative and financial independence.
“At the local level, the people need results, accountability, and openness. Until then, unemployment and poverty will continue regardless of the amount of money coming from the Federation Account,” he continued.
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