LG Reforms Key to Northeast Recovery, NYFF Insists

By Muhammad Maitela, Damaturu

A capacity-building workshop held in Adamawa State has underscored the urgent need for comprehensive local government reforms as a critical step toward rebuilding communities in Northeast Nigeria.

The two-day workshop, organised by Spotlight for Transparency and Accountability Initiative (Spotlight NG) in partnership with the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF), brought together stakeholders to address the growing disconnect between government spending and real impact at the grassroots level.

Participants at the event expressed concern that despite significant public resources, many local councils have failed to deliver basic services, leaving communities grappling with poor infrastructure, inadequate healthcare, and weakened education systems.

The organisers noted that the situation is particularly dire in the Northeast, where years of insurgency, displacement, and economic hardship have intensified the consequences of ineffective local governance.

Speaking during the workshop, the Executive Director of Spotlight NG, Muazu Alhaji Modu, said the initiative was part of broader efforts to strengthen accountability and citizen participation in governance at the local level.

“Local councils are the frontline of social service delivery. Without a transparent and responsive system, lasting progress is impossible,” Modu stated.

He added that the programme was designed to promote integrity, improve budget transparency, and empower citizens to actively engage in governance processes.

The training combined theoretical sessions with practical tools, including financial transparency frameworks and the use of Bayani AI, an AI-powered civic engagement platform aimed at enhancing accountability.

According to the organisers, the approach was intended not only to highlight the importance of reforms but also to equip participants with the necessary skills to implement them effectively.

Participants engaged in frank discussions on financial mismanagement, institutional weaknesses, and the need for systemic change, while also committing to concrete reform measures.

The workshop concluded with a strong consensus that sustainable national development depends largely on efficient and accountable local governance.

Stakeholders emphasised that rebuilding public trust must begin at the grassroots, driven by capable officials, active citizen participation, and a firm commitment to accountability.