DECENTRALIZATION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICE DELIVERY IN NIGERIA: ADMINISTRATIVE CHALLENGES AND GOVERNANCE IMPLICATIONS

Decentralization has become a central feature of governance reforms in many developing countries, particularly in Africa where governments seek to improve administrative efficiency, promote citizen participation, and enhance public service delivery. In Nigeria, the decentralization of administrative authority to local governments was designed to bring governance closer to the people and strengthen grassroots development. Despite the constitutional recognition of local governments as the third tier of government, concerns persist regarding their ability to effectively deliver public services and promote local development. This study examines the impact of decentralization on local government service delivery in Nigeria with particular emphasis on administrative capacity, fiscal autonomy, and intergovernmental relations. The study adopts a qualitative research design based on the analysis of secondary data obtained from academic literature, government policy documents, and institutional reports. The analysis is guided by the theoretical perspectives of Fiscal Federalism and Decentralization Theory, which emphasize the importance of devolving administrative authority and resources to subnational governments in order to improve governance outcomes. Findings indicate that although decentralization has created opportunities for grassroots participation in governance, several structural challenges continue to limit the effectiveness of local governments in Nigeria. These challenges include limited fiscal autonomy, excessive state government control, administrative inefficiency, and weak institutional capacity. The study concludes that strengthening local government institutions is essential for improving public service delivery and promoting sustainable development at the grassroots level. It therefore recommends greater fiscal autonomy for local governments, improved administrative capacity, stronger accountability mechanisms, and enhanced citizen participation in local governance processes.