Relationship among local, state and federal government in Nigeria - SS2 Government Lesson Note

In Nigeria, the three tiers of government - the federal, state, and local government - have a relationship that is defined by the Constitution. The relationship among these tiers of government is described as a "federal system" of government where each level has specific responsibilities and powers.

The federal government is responsible for matters of national importance such as defense, foreign policy, and currency. The state government has powers to make laws for its territory in areas such as education, health, agriculture, and transportation. The local government, on the other hand, is responsible for the provision of basic services to the people at the grassroots level, such as primary healthcare, water supply, and waste management.

The relationship among these tiers of government is such that the federal government has the power to create and dissolve states, as well as determine the number and boundaries of local government areas. The state government, in turn, has the power to create and dissolve local government areas within its territory. The local government, however, is dependent on the state government for funding and supervision.

The federal government also provides statutory allocations to the state and local governments from the Federation Account, which is a central pool of funds derived from oil and other resources. However, there have been concerns about the equitable distribution of these funds, with some local governments alleging that they do not receive their fair share.