ANEEJ Boss Calls for Accountability at Subnational Level

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Executive Director of the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Rev. David Ugolor, has called for stronger accountability and transparency in subnational spending, noting that increased allocations to states and local governments have not translated into better services for citizens.

Rev. Ugolor made the remarks during a panel discussion on NTA’s Good Morning Nigeria programme on the topic, “Rethinking Subnational Spending Priorities.”

He pointed to what he described as a growing disconnect between rising Federation Account allocations and the realities faced by Nigerians, particularly at the grassroots.

“More resources have not necessarily translated into better healthcare, education, roads, agriculture, social protection or improved livelihoods,” he said.

The ANEEJ Executive Director attributed the situation to weak accountability mechanisms and institutional failures, stressing that citizens often lack access to transparent information on how funds released to subnational governments are spent.

To address the problem, Rev. Ugolor called for stronger accountability institutions and greater public access to financial information to enable citizens to hold governments accountable.

He specifically recommended greater transparency in Federation Account allocations, including clear and timely information on how much each local government receives and how the funds are utilised.

He also urged governments to reconsider their spending priorities by shifting away from expenditures with limited direct benefits to citizens and towards investments that create jobs, strengthen rural economies and reduce poverty.

Rev. Ugolor identified the strengthening of institutions such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) as crucial to improving accountability and oversight.

He also emphasised the need to make information on public expenditure easily accessible to citizens to promote effective scrutiny.

According to him, governments should ensure that funds reaching local governments translate into tangible development while prioritising primary healthcare, education, rural roads, agriculture and social protection.

He further advocated the revival of existing agricultural and industrial facilities rather than continuously investing in new projects with limited impact.

Rev. Ugolor also called for clear and consistent spending plans focused on citizens’ welfare and economic opportunities, as well as the empowerment of citizens, civil society organisations, community leaders, farmers’ organisations and other stakeholders to demand accountability.

He stressed that the central challenge was not simply the amount of money governments receive but how effectively the funds are spent and whether citizens experience their impact.

“The issue is not simply how much money governments receive, but what they do with it and whether citizens can feel the impact,” Rev. Ugolor concluded.