NSUK Repository :: Browsing by Author "Yusuf, Abdullahi Ogwuzebe"

Browsing by Author "Yusuf, Abdullahi Ogwuzebe"

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Open Access
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION AND EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN IN NASARAWA STATE CIVIL SERVICE
(Department of Public Administration, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2019-11-06) Umar, Elems Mahmoud; Yusuf, Abdullahi Ogwuzebe
The traditional role of women as bearers and nurses of children has advanced beyond the orthodoxy to the contemporary status of clear leadership in all spheres of life: industry, public career, politics, technology and the medical sciences, among others. In contradistinction to the position of adherents of orthodoxy, advocates of modernity believe in and strongly support a shift in the paradigm, for a wider participation of women in formal employment, given the backdrop of the prevalence of labour discrimination, based on gender difference. With advancement in' education and civilization among women, the pressure for the emancipation of the folk from the clutches of marginalisation assumed a new dimension in 2006, when the Nigeria Women’s Charter of Demand, also known as Affirmative Action, was presented. The objective was to eradicate all forms of gender discriminations artificially erected on the path of women’s efforts of attaining gender mainstreaming and parity. Elsewhere on the globe: China, Israel, Sri-Lanka, Taiwan, Malaysia, France and Finland, Affirmative Action dated back to 1949. In spite of the critical essence of gender equal labour market opportunities; there remains a dearth of empirical studies in Nigeria, particularly in Nasarawa State, where the inequality is obvious and copious. This study is therefore instituted to examine the nature, causes and implications of the anomaly for Nigerian women and for national development. Employing panel or longitudinal survey design, and using published data on personnel establishment obtained from Nasarawa State Civil Service Commission for the period 2007—2017, the null hypothesis of no significant discrepancy between gender employment opportunities in Nasarawa State Civil Service and the Affirmative Action was tested. The Chi-square statistical tool was employed, following its wide appeal in the Management and Social Sciences. Based on the findings, it was concluded that there is a significant discrepancy between women employment in Nasarawa State Civil Service and Affirmative Action, leading to underemployment. Accordingly, it was recommended that Nasarawa State Government should redress the imbalance by domesticating the Charter, for the attainment of its objectives.
Open Access
AGRICULTURAL INTERVENTION POLICY AND DEVELOPMENT ■ OF NIGERIAN RURAL AREA: A STUDY OF EDO STATE
(Department of Public Administration, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2020-12-03) Umar, Elems Mahmoud; Yusuf, Abdullahi Ogwuzebe; Bege, Yahaya Ahmed
The wealth which built modern Nigeria whether in the era of dominance of agricultural commodities, or petroleum, was derived from the rural areas. Given the relative importance of rural areas in Nigeria, as the major economic base, this study examines theof agricultural intervention policies/programmes on rural development in Edo State. The study adoptedmixed method using questionnaire andoral interviews. The data were analyzed using simple percentage statistical tools. Thefinding reveals that the exclusion of the rural farmers from participating in the agricultural intervention programmes is among other factors that contributed to the failure of the policy/programmes vis-a-vis underdevelopment of rural areas. Consequently, the study recommended that Government should leapfrog rural development philosophy from the present abyss to a front burner position, by constitutionalizing an extra-ministerial agency, such as the National Population Commission and Federal Civil Service Commission, among others, with specific responsibility of rural development in Nigeria.
Open Access
Analysis of Some Grey Areas in the Operation of Separation of Powers in Nigeria
(Department of Public Administration, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2021-07-14) Umar, Elems Mahmoud; Yusuf, Abdullahi Ogwuzebe; Aliegba, Becky Ade
Interesting as democratic government might be, its success depends on the observance of the doctrine of separation of powers by the respective organs. While separation has been well practised in advanced democracies, as United States of America and Great Britain, the experience in emerging democracies, Nigeria inclusive, has been unrewarding, particularly because several grey areas have remained unresolved. The major objective of this paper therefore, is to examine the sources and nature of the unresolved areas which have inexorably produced rancorous relationships among governmental arms in Nigeria. In the qualitative research design which adopted expository analytical approach, the study found, among others, that it was not constitutional, legal or institutional deficits or lacunae, but human factor that had constituted the major obstacle to the successful practice of separation in Nigeria. To change the paradigm therefore, it was recommended among others, that regular training and retraining, with practical case studies from the experience of advanced democracies, should be conducted, to educate the leaderships of governmental arms, given that expertise or experience in governance is not a prerequisite for political leadership in Nigeria.
Open Access
British Colonial Administration and Perspectives on Disintegration and Transformation of Keana Confederacy
(Department of Public Administration, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2018-04-08) Yusuf, Abdullahi Ogwuzebe; Umar, Elems Mahmoud
The advent of British colonial rule brought to the fore the contradictions inherent in indigenous and modern systems of administration. Such contradictions produced antigens that set in motion disruptions which, in extreme situations, degenerated into conflicts and disintegration of the erstwhile flourishing Kingdoms in Northern Nigeria, Keana Confederacy inclusive. The objective of this paper is to examine the role of British Indirect Rule in the disintegration of Keana Confederacy; and the subsequent reintegration process that transformed Keana into political and administrative autonomy, through the instrumentality of modern local government system. Adopting focus group discussion methodology, and a suite of reinforcing theoretical paradigms: Integrative and Conflict Resolution models, the study found colonial native administrative system and its contradictory “reforms” of the existing traditional system as incongruent, a development that fertilized the harbinger of disintegration of Keana Confederacy. The study, therefore, recommended that contemporary governmental administration should respect and take due cognizance of the existing orthodox chieftaincy setting when contemplating reforms of traditional institutions, to minimize distortions and consequent conflicts.
Open Access
BUDGET REFORMS IN NIGERIA: A SOCIOLOGICAL OVERVIEW
(Department of Public Administration, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2015-02-08) Otinche, Sunday Inyokwe; Kennedy, Okechukwu Ololo; Yusuf, Abdullahi Ogwuzebe
Many developing countries are faced with the problem of developing appropriate institutional structures for good governance. This feeble process of public administration has led to defective process of resources allocation, fiscal indiscipline, operational inefficiency and poor policy outcomes. These are manifestation indices of weaknesses in the budget process. Budget is one of the mechanisms through which the welfare of citizens is improved upon. The failure by government to use the budget mechanism to stimulate the mechanics of good governance and economic development through employment and wealth creation, poverty and inequality reduction, human capital and infrastructural development has called for the reform of the budget process. It is argued by development experts that the planning and implementation of the budget within the Medium Term Expenditure Framework would bring about efficiency in public administration and enhance the operational efficiency of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in generating net social outcomes for the citizens who are made to play inclusive role in national development. The paper argued that the performance of the budget is measured by its outcome and the impact of the outcome on citizens' welfare. The paper observed that the rate inwhich the budget ratification has been subjected to negative partisan adjustment in parliament. The paper holds parliament responsible for part of the failure of government to use the budget instrument to transform society due to political complacency. The paper advocates for the prudent use of budgetary resources by the government and the adoption of the right attitude to oversee the process of resource governance as a panacea to the structural challenges facing the Nigerian government in the bid to fulfill her development aspiration.
Open Access
CHALLENGES OF METHODOLOGY AND VALIDITY IN THE STUDY OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
(Department of Public Administration, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2018-09-05) Umar, Elems Mahmoud; Yusuf, Abdullahi Ogwuzebe
Writings on conceptual and methodological issues in the study of social science subjects, Public Administration inclusive, focus attention on comparing this variant of “science”'with the pure science, placing emphasis on the similarities in the methodological apparatuses and procedures. The central aim is to establish the “scienceness”, and poke the social science in the domain of the natural science. Such views may be perfectly plausible, atleast because they rationalise the award of a science degree to a graduate of social science. Standing on similar arguments, this paper latches onto the unexhausted polemics of the “scienceness” of Public Administration, and promises to explore the alternative view that the strong inclination to the appellation science, with reference to Public Administration, is an expression, with little relevance to the subject matter.
Open Access
CHANGE MANAGEMENT IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR: THE DYNAMICS
(Department of Public Administration, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2019-07-06) Itodo, Sylvanus Mohammed; Yusuf, Abdullahi Ogwuzebe
Change is not confined to one country or continent alone; it is not restricted to governments and organizations, nor is it limited to social systems and their environment. It has no boundary. Given the complexity, uncertainty, dynamism and volatility associated with changes which have impact on governments and organizations, governments and its institutions must be prepared in anticipating such changes and develop management strategies to mitigate its impact upon its systems, structures, practices and citizens. The response to management change in the public sector rest within the realm of leader ship, both political and bureaucratic. It is within this context that this paper examines the wishes and realities of change management in the public sector. The methodology adopted was the review of research papers, conference material, white papers, technical papers and reports, textbooks, and specific Nigeria experiences of public sector change efforts since independence. The paper concluded that managing change requires time and knowledge resources more than anything else, and that the success of a change project, change management and reform requires the support and commitment of politicians, public/civil servants, civil society and the masses.
Open Access
COLONIALISM, IMPERIALISM, THE EUROPEAN UNION AND PERSPECTIVES ON THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF NIGERIA
(Department of Public Administration, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2019-11-01) Abimiku, John; Umar, Elems Mahmoud; Yusuf, Abdullahi Ogwuzebe
Colonialism and imperialism are "allotropes" of Western misrule of Africa, characterized by "statism" and economic exploitation, in contradistinction to the excuses of humanitarian motives: eradication of slavery, expansion of missionary activities and trade creation, etc, "after thought" made by the colonial overlords. In the aftermath, Africa, Nigeria at the centre, suffered severe development setback. But beyond the fagade, capitalist integration was central in British colonial relations with Nigeria, as it was elsewhere in Africa, giving rise to resentments expressed through the emergent nationalist movements, particularly from the 1930s. To overthrow the colonial grip, two choices were available: armed struggle and the constitutional method, preferred by the nationalist bourgeoisie class who found allies in the British and her economic influence to continue with the "rebranded relationship" in neo-colonialism. The adoption by Nigeria of the Western capitalist path of development levied severe . consequences on her economy: economic control, monopolies, unemployment, strikes, and corruption, among other issues. The recourse to the European Union (EU) (With all the expected "relationship advantages" delayed any progress in industrializing Nigeria through a policy of reckless granting of industrial products duty-free entry into Nigeria. Furthermore, the economic association with EU thwarted Africa's continental economic integration and political unification: Africa became the theatre of neo-colonialism by Europe. Thus, Nigeria's economic link with the EU, through the Lome Conventions, indeed made; a mockery of her posture of non-alignment in world politics, concluding.
Open Access
Correlational Analysis of Training Outlay and Organizational Output in A Small and Medium Enterprise in Nigeria
(Department of Public Administration, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2020-06-16) Umar, Elems Mahmoud; Yusuf, Abdullahi Ogwuzebe; Yakubu, I. Shehu
A well-trained and motivated workforce is a valuable asset to any organisation. Organizations, therefore, invest hugely in training and capacity building, to enhance the productivity of employees, as a sine qua non for increased organisational output. In this regard, the study examined the relationship between investment in employee training and output of SMEs in Nigeria. In the survey method, data on outlay and production output of the study company were analysed, using simple percentages; while the association was examined through the instrument of correlational analysis. Against the a priori expectation of a positive correlation, the result of the analysis showed a negative insignificant association, suggesting that the notion of all-time positive and significant correlation among training outlay, employee productivity and organisational output was only plausible. In explaining the curious result, factors which include training, supervision and motivation, were, among others, identified. Therefore, the study recommended that management should ensure that training must be conducted according to organizational needs and that proper supervision must also be provided, to guide employee performance on the job. Besides, adequate motivation should be provided to employees, to elicit performance, instead of resting on the efficacy of training alone.
Open Access
Democritising the Process of Recruitment into Key Academic Offices in Selected Nigerian Universities
(Department of Public Administration, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2018-12-07) Umar, Elems Mahmoud; Yusuf, Abdullahi Ogwuzebe
Because of its enormous attributes (i.e popular participation, guarantee of freedom, accountability and good governance), many undemocratic governments have collapsed. In contemporary practice, recruitment into key positions in most organizations, whether private or public, therefore follows a democratic procedure. Curiously, the existence of a deviation from the modern norm by tertiary institutions in Nigeria, which enjoy the accolade of monopolistic trusteeship of intellectual endowment, remains confounding. This study is instituted to examine the factors in the observed duality in recruitment practices adopted by selected universities. In the survey design, data collected from top ranking employees were analysed using percentages, while Chi-square analysis was performed to examine the discrepancy between the observed and expected recruitment practices. Theoretically, the study is underpinned by a hybrid of Democratic Participation Hypothesis and Democratic Participation Management Theory. The study revealed that, away from any legal or statutory dictates, preference for the appointive alternative adopted in recruitment into the offices of Vice Chancellor, Deputy Vice Chancellor and Head of Department is cultural, and had resulted in apathetic reaction by academic staff to exclusion and governance issues in universities. Accordingly, it is recommended that recruitment into all key offices in Nigerian universities should Tbe democratized, for wider participation and improved governance
Open Access
Dependency Theory and Intergovernmental Fiscal Relations: Insights into Nigeria
(Department of Public Administration, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2020-11-09) Umar, Elems Mahmoud; Yusuf, Abdullahi Ogwuzebe
Nigeria is a federal state with delineation of political, economic and administrative powers and responsibilities among the federating national and sub-national governments. In tandem with the above framework, Nigeria adopts fiscal federalism, in order to achieve smooth conduct of public revenue and expenditure operations. The constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria 1989, as subsequently amended, allocates all fiscal responsibilities to the respective federating tiers of government. Commentaries by analysts, authors and observers allude to the lopsidedness of the allocation of responsibilities and fiscal capacities, in terms of "quantity" and "economic potentials", in favour of the national government. This unfavourable skewness against the sub-national tiers, noted all critics, remained the fundamental harbinger of fiscal disequilibrium, leading to the incapacity and dependent position of the sub-national governments. This study examined the implications of the dependency in the intergovernmental relations enshrined in the Grundnorm, in the light of the backdrop of Andre Gimder Frank's Dependency Theory.
Open Access
Domesticity and Implementation of Affirmative Policy at the Local Government Tier in Nigeria
(Department of Public Administration, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2020-06-06) Umar, Elems Mahmoud; Yusuf, Abdullahi Ogwuzebe; Bege, Yahaya Ahmed
The objective of this study is to enquire into the nature and causes of the observed implementation failure of Affirmative Policy at the local government tier in Nigeria, given the importance of the policy in gender balancing. Goaded by the persistent unequal underemployment in labour market and politics, ascribable to socio-cultural prejudices, women embarked on various programmes aimed at redressing the anti-gender disequilibrium, through Women’s Charter of Demand or Affirmative Action. The resultant policy: Gender Policy 2006, enunciated by the Federal Government of Nigeria, was therefore aimed at mainstreaming women into public sector establishments by reserving, at least 35per cent of all available offices for women. Overseas, in Canada, China, Malaysia, United Kingdom, USA, et cetera, Affirmative Programmes had been initiated for the realization of women’s equality. In the study, survey method was adopted where 100 local government councils were purposively selected from the 6 geopolitical zones of Nigeria; and a questionnaire administered to gather the required data; analysed using percentage statistical tool, as is widely applicable in researches in Social and Management Sciences. Oral interviews were also held with some council chairpersons, to clarify ambiguities. The major findings of this study included councils’ pervasive unawareness, or ignorance of the existence and operation of the Affirmative Policy; and unwillingness to implement the policy, if compliance was optional, due to conservatism. It was thus recommended that, among others, the Federal Government of Nigeria should establish and institutionalize a mechanism for educating local government councils on new policies. Furthermore, legislative sanction against defaulting council managements for nonimplementation of Affirmative Policy should be promulgated, to compel attitudinal change, as espoused by Modernization Theory, adopted in this study.
Open Access
e-GOVERNANCE AND SERVICE DELIVERY IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION IN NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA.
(Department of Public Administration, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2018-12-08) Umar, Elems Mahmoud; Yusuf, Abdullahi Ogwuzebe; Omadachi, Oklobia
Realizing the implications of the prevailing low education and awareness of information and communication (ICT) in Nigeria for efficient service delivery by government institutions and agencies, or e-governance, the Federal Government of Nigeria embarked on legislative, policy and institutional initiatives to redress the situation. Evidence ascribes the particularly poor e-governance among the local government councils to the disconnect formal institutions responsible for developing and disseminating new ideas and innovations in ICT to affd the councils. In effects, the slack in information flow and weak structures have militated against the realization of objectives of e-governance, particularly by local government areas of Nigeria, as explainable by diffusion theory and structural-functionalism. In the survey research, several findings were made among which poor ICT lagged or lacking information dissemination to local government councils, low level of ICT literacy among employees of local councils and very low budgetary allocation to ICT development by councils, among other. Accordingly, it was recommended among other that the information dissemination apparatus should be strengthened to bridge the gap between the institutions and the councils.
Open Access
EMPIRICAL REVIEW OF BUDGET REFORMS PROGRAM IN NIGERIA
(Department of Public Administration, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2018-09-07) Itodo, S. M.; Yusuf, Abdullahi Ogwuzebe
The public sector budget in Nigeria, as in any other nation of the world, remains the most important policy thrust instrument or tool for different purposes including: economic, political, social and developmental. The Nigeria Federal budget has been facing a myriad of challenges dispossessing it of the powers to achieve its expected goals. Those problems include institutional, social and leadership dimensions. Budget management reforms were the major areas of the Nigeria Public Service reforms embarked upon since the inception of civilian administration in 1999. The major objective was to enhance budget discipline among others. This zoas predicated on the theoretical considerations that improving the process and management of budgeting through reforms would ultimately translate into improved budgetary outcome. This paper empirically investigated the impact of budget reforms on the quality of budget management in Nigeria. It zoas therefore recommended that government should provide the leadership and political zoill not only to enforce the provisions of FRA. MTEF and other reform but to sanction those that short circuit the system to their advantage. This zoill go a long zoay to enhance compliance zoith the reforms and bring about the expected improvement in the quality of the nation's budget management. The paper concludes by making impeccable suggestions on hozo to curtail the monster before it finally ruins the budget process completely.
Open Access
ENTREPRENEURIAL GOVERNMENT, FISCAL CAPACITY AND SERVICE DELIVERY IN EDO STATE, NIGERIA
(Department of Public Administration, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2019-07-08) Umar, Elems Mahmoud; Yusuf, Abdullahi Ogwuzebe
Given the disproportionate relationship between fiscal responsibility and taxing capacity, local councils' inability to generate sufficient internal revenue to augment receipts from the central allocation is exacerbated. The situation has placed councils in a perpetual “infant industry ” situation. Previous studies on the intractable challenges of local government financing focus on the unfavourable skewness of the existing revenue allocation formula against councils, with minimalfocus on the strategic imperative of exploring contemporary entrepreneurial approach by governments in boosting internally generated revenues, to propel service delivery. In departure, this study attempts to examine the efficacy of “managerialism” in public service delivery, with Edo States 2017 “reforms” as case. Adopting a primary survey design, the study relied on data gatheredfrom stakeholders and adopted structural functionalism in explaining the success or failure of governmental institutions in their assignedfiscal functions. In line with the objective to examine the trend in revenue accretion, simple percentage analysis is conducted. The summary of thefindings indicated that Edo State Government increased internally generated revenue by all local government councils from average monthly N30million in 2016 to N220million in 2017, due to the entrepreneurial approach to revenue management initiated in 2017. Consequently, it is recommended that other states in Nigeria should embark on institutional reforms for the needed revolution in internally generated revenue, for service^ delivery.
Open Access
EXPECTANCY AND DIALECTICS OF WANING PUBLIC SERVICE ETHICS IN KOKONA LOCAL GOVERNMENT,NIGERIA
(Department of Public Administration, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2020-12-09) Umar, Elems Mahmoud; Yusuf, Abdullahi Ogwuzebe; Bege, Yahaya Ahmed
Public organizations and members are required to be guided by established ethics in the discharge of their official responsibilities, to ensure credible service delivery to the citizens. The objective of this study is to examine the extent of observance of established public service ethics by employees of Kokona Local Government Council, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The study adopts mixed method with asample of 282 employees drawn from the total staff strength of 352. The study used purposive technique, because of the homogeneity and relatively small size of the target population; while a questionnaire was employed in data collection, in the primary survey research design. Oral interviews were also conducted with respondents, to clarify ambiguities. Vroom (1964)'s Expectancy Theory was adopted in the theoretical framework, in view of the Theory's potency in providing insight into the relationship between employees'effort and the outcome of the effort, in the form of reward. Data were analyzed with simple percentage tools, as is widely applicable in Management and Social Science researches. Salient among the findings were that Kokona Council employees were aware of the service ethical codes; but they were however largely deficient in fully observing the code, due to the deplorable service conditions, including poor remunerations and incentives. Consequently, if was recommended, among others, that Council should improve the service conditions of employees; diversity the revenue base, to support the anticipated higher expenditure profile; and embark on ethical re-orientation of the staff, to regularize the psyche.
Open Access
FISCAL OPERATIONS, ECONOMIC GROWTH AND WELFARE: INSIGHTS INTO NIGERIA
(Department of Public Administration, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2018-12-02) Umar, Elems Mahmoud; Yusuf, Abdullahi Ogwuzebe
The cardinal objective of government is to maximise the welfare of fhe citizenry. Success in the achievement of this objective is premised on the ability of government to develop the requisite capacity to provide the needed infrastructure designed to propel increases in the fundamentals ofeconomic growth. In this wise, the employment of sound fiscal policies ensures that the overall macroeconomic objective of rapid growth, among others, is achieved. Interestingly, fiscal operations provide the platform for the dynamics of efficient implementation offiscal policy, without which imbalances leading to crises can develop. Flowing from the plethora of theoretical literature, it has been suggested that a nexus exists between economic growth, proxied by gross domestic product (GDP), and government fiscal operations (typified by taxation, external debt and aggregate capital expenditure). Unfortunately not much had been done empirically to establish the relationship between fiscal policy instrumental variables (tax revenue, external debt and capital expenditure) and GDP, in Nigeria, during the period 200Q-2015. Using time series data on the. variables, regression analysis, Ordinary Least Squares, was performed, to ascertain the aprori relationship. The results of the findings provide evidence of a strong positive relationship between economic growth and the nature of fiscal operations in Nigeria during the study period. Accordingly; it was recommended that government Jiscal operations should focus extensively on tax revenue generation, since revenue was the most significant contributor to economic growth.
Open Access
INTERNATIONAL DIRECT CAPITAL MOVEMENT: WHAT GRAVITATES THE FLOW INTO NIGERIA?
(Department of Public Administration, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2019-06-03) Umar, Elems Mahmoud; Yusuf, Abdullahi Ogwuzebe
*In emerging economies, domestic capital is highly inadequate, due to pervasive poverty and low capital formation, as a result of which external borrowings are often contracted. Important as they are, foreign loans are dangerous peels, particularly when they are contracted under veiy tight terms and conditions. Emerging, nations, Nigeria inclusive, often resort to seeking the more friendly opportunities in international capital movements as direct foreign investment (DFI). Previous studies provide insights into some determinants of DF1 flow into Nigeria, leading evidence to support the role of key macro-economic variables. Unfortunately, the studies fail to examine the role of external debt and infrastructural development in gravitating DFI into Nigeria. This limitation forms the core problem of this study. The key objective of the study is to determine the significance or otherwise of external debt and aggregate capital expenditure, in attracting DFI into Nigeria during the study period, 2006- 2015. Dunning (1973) 's reconciliatory Eclectic Location-Specific Theory is adopted. Employing secondary data from the Central Bank of Nigeria, the study engages the Ordinary Least Squares statistical method and finds among others, that a positive and significant relationship exists between DFI and external debt; while a positive but insignificant relationship exists between DFI and aggregate capital expenditure. It is therefore recommended that public external debt should be judiciously utilized to augment domestic resources, so as to increase finding for massive infrastructural development in Nigeria, to gravitate DFI into the country.
Open Access
Local Government Accountability through Taxation: The Nigerian and Colombian Experience
(Department of Public Administration, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2019-03-12) Umar, Elems Mahmoud; Yusuf, Abdullahi Ogwuzebe
Given the elastic limit of the centraI government, the rote of local or municipal government system in extending governance to the grass root is critical, particularly in less developed countries, where resources are scarce and underdeveloped. Colombia and Nigeria share common characteristics and experience in local government evolution. The political and administrative arrangements confer enormous responsibilities on the local government system amidst disproportionate fiscal capacity. The situation is exacerbated by the uncontrollable influence of the political elites who often hijack the machinery of government at the centre; and the unfavourable intergovernmental relations among local and other tiers of government. In consequence, local government managements heavily depend on the centra! government for "transfers ", in order to meet their service delivery obligations to the citizens. Literature and empirical studies on options for financing local governments focus hugely on prospects of reconfiguring the existing architectural design of intergovernmental revenue sharing arrangements, more in favour of the councils. In contradistinction, this study contends that such focus misses the panoramic view of the situation. The paper examines the option for local government financing through property tax. Based on the findings, it is recommended that, among other options, a central independent tax regu/atoiy and enforcement agency should be established, to drive property tax compliance, given the huge potentials of the source, and ability to pay by wealthy property owners, who are either bourgeoisies or "privileged” political or bureaucratic elites.
Open Access
Local Government Autonomy and Fiscal Viability in Nigeria: Evidence from Taraba State
(Department of Public Administration, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2020-09-09) Umar, Elems Mahmoud; Yusuf, Abdullahi Ogwuzebe
jAs a tier in the politico-fiscal federalism arrangement of Nigeria, the local government has a jconstitutional mandate to deliver governance at the critical grassroot level, for the attainment of jpolitico-economic development and globalism. The capacity of a local government to deliver on jlhe mandate, however, is dependent on its fiscal pedigree. This study contends that the inadequate jfiscal capacity of the local government in Nigeria is a consequence of the contrived constitutional 'and legal machinations, intended to institutionalise dependency in the inter-governmental fiscal relations. The objective of this study is to examine the viability of the much coveted local government autonomy, in the light of the weak fiscal capacity. Given the level of imbalance in the .existing fiscal relations among the various tiers of government, Equilibrium Theory provided the framework of the study. In the expository analysis, adopting documentary research method, data were gathered from published sources, including local government councils’ records, Nigeria’s Constitutions (as amended), Federation Revenue Act 2002, and academic journals, among others. Oral telephone interviews were also held with some top officials of council managements, to clarify observed ambiguities. It was found that the forces of the constitutional assignment of "dehydrated” revenue sources to local governments, the “inequitable” revenue allocation formula prescribed by the Legislature, and the weak institutional apparatuses, interplayed to clog or wither •the kinetic energy in local government councils, thereby reducing the effort to inert status. In .(conclusion, local government autonomy, without fiscal viability, as the case of Taraba State, may jbe counter-productive. It was therefore recommended, among others, that constitutional and legal jreforms, aimed at adjusting the extant fiscal imbalance, should be undertaken by the Federal Government, and other relevant authorities.