Wale Edun Champions Local Government Empowerment as Key Pillar of Economic Reform
The Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, has reiterated the Federal Government’s resolve to strengthen local government institutions as a critical foundation for inclusive economic growth and long-term national productivity.
Speaking at a high-level policy dialogue convened by AGORA Policy with support from the MacArthur Foundation, Mr. Edun emphasized that empowering grassroots governance is not merely a political ideal but a central component of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s strategy for poverty reduction and economic inclusion.
Underscoring the administration’s commitment, the Minister highlighted the government’s recent implementation of the Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy. He clarified that henceforth, only democratically elected local councils are eligible to receive direct allocations from the Federation Account — a step he described not as a discretionary policy but a constitutional obligation to uphold the judgment of Nigeria’s apex court.
Mr. Edun further outlined several ongoing federal initiatives aimed at revitalising local governance and service delivery, including the Nutrition 774 Programme, Project 774 Digital Connectivity, and the HOPE Programme supported by the World Bank. These interventions, he explained, are focused on enhancing human capital development, expanding digital access, and improving the efficiency of local-level institutions.
“These are not symbolic gestures,” Edun asserted. “They are deliberate, structured investments in governance that build investor confidence, reduce economic exclusion, and set the stage for scalable, sustainable development.”
He concluded by calling for greater policy coherence and intergovernmental coordination, noting that the full promise of local government reform can only be realised through disciplined execution and collaboration across all tiers of government.
