LOCAL GOVERNMENT AS THIRD TIER GOVERNMENT;ROLES, FUNCTIONS AND CHALLENGES.

If one asserts that just as the basic tissues are important to the human body so also is local government important to a democratic political system, one will be staling a fact that cannot be disputed. Local government in every democratic setting is established to satisfy the needs of local populace through effective service delivery and, efficient and effective mobilization of the local human and material resources. The indispensability of local government in democratic setting, manifest in its ability to bring about democracy at the grassroots , serve as a base for political participation and education as well as provide services and serve as an agent of development. This paper therefore assesses the concept of local government as third tier government, its roles, functions, and challenges. At the end recommendation would be made to ensure effective and efficient local government in Nigeria.