State Interference and Service Delivery in Nigeria’s Local Government Administration: The Case of Ado Local Government Area, Ekiti State, 2011 – 2021

Abstract

The establishment of local governments in Nigeria was motivated by the need for administrative convenience and development. The peculiarities of the grassroots government, according to efficiency service theorists, would engender national development. The purposes of the study, using mixed methods, were to investigate the challenge of state interference and the implications on service delivery in Ado Local Government Area, Ekiti State, Nigeria between 2011 – 2021. Primary data involved the use of online questionnaire and observation. The total of 103 respondents responded to the online questionnaires used for the analysis. Sources of secondary data include textbooks, reputable journals, and the internet. Primary data was analyzed statistically using frequencies, percentages and pie chart while content analysis was used for secondary data. The study discovers that state governments have been shortchanging local governments in Nigeria through their interference. The paper recommends political and financial autonomy for the local government to enhance sustainable development.