In a groundbreaking ruling, the Supreme Court handed down a landmark judgement, granting financial autonomy to the 774 local government councils in the country. The court decreed that it is unconstitutional for state governors to withhold funds allocated to local governments, paving the way for the councils to manage their finances and make independent decisions about their expenditures.
This significant decision is expected to have far-reaching implications for grassroots governance and development.
For almost a decade, conversations about local government autonomy have circulated the Nigerian governance space as most state governments have extreme control over the appointment and expenditure of this last tier of government.
The core functions of local government include the management of pre-school, primary and adult education; public health; town planning; roads and transport; and waste disposal, for which allocations are released.
However, the control of state governments stalls these functions. In 2020, former President Muhammadu Buhari, signed an Executive Order to grant financial autonomy to the judiciary, legislature, and local government councils. But this did not suffice.
This development, under the current administration of President Bola Tinubu, made the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), file a lawsuit on behalf of the Federal Government, seeking to grant full autonomy and direct funding to all 774 local government councils in the country; in which the state governments counterclaimed.
READ ALSO:RipplesMetrics… Fuel scarcity: How Nigerian govt subsidised cost of fuel in the two decades
With this new ruling, Ripples Metrics looks into the allocation that has been made to the local government under Tinubu between June 2023 and May 2024.
Local government allocation
Allocations to the local government are always disbursed through the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) monthly. FAAC is responsible for reviewing and adopting the allocation of funds to states of the Federal government of Nigeria.
The revenue obtained from crude oil, taxes and other statutory revenues are disturbed with a sharing formula that allocates 52.68 per cent to the federal government, 26.72 per cent to states, and 20.60 per cent to local governments.
Within the first year in office of Tinubu, a total of N3.05 trillion was disbursed to the 774 local governments. This means that the average allocation the local government got for every month was N254.51 billion for the period under review.
From the data compared by RipplesMetrics from the National Bureau of Statistics website, more allocations were disbursed to the local government since the removal of the fuel subsidy in May 2023.
Meanwhile, for just the first five months of 2024, the LGAs have been allocated a total of N1.42 trillion which is almost 50 per cent of the allocation in Tinubu’s one year. The highest allocation was received in May 2024 with N293.82 billion shared.
Furthermore, RipplesMetrics learned that between January and May 2024, the federal government allocated a total of N1.88 trillion to itself, based on the sharing formula, while the state governments received N2.04 trillion.
While experts and civic organisations have commended the Supreme Court ruling, there are concerns over the implementation of this ruling. In recent developments, most states have begun to conduct local government elections as part of an effort to adhere to the ruling.
By: James Odunayo
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RipplesMetrics: FG released N3.05 trillion to 774 local governments in one year
Taraba: House committee chairman urges, govt, individuals, others to invest in sports
The Chairman of the Taraba State House of Assembly Committee on Sports, Anas Shu’aibu, has underscored the importance of collaboration between individuals, corporate organizations, and the government to invest in the sports sector.
On Thursday, in Jalingo, Shu’aibu highlighted sports as a profitable industry if well harnessed.
He argued that such investments could significantly assist in reducing youth unemployment in Taraba and the country at large.
While encouraging young men and women across the state and Nigeria to dedicate themselves to sporting activities, he announced that efforts to revive the state male and female football clubs are in the pipeline.
The Taraba Football Club and Taraba Queens, as observed by TVN went into extinction throughout the tenure of the past administration led by former governor Darius Dickinson Ishaku.
Piqued by this development, the House Committee Chairman, who also represents the Karim-Lamido II Constituency, said both the legislative and executive arms of the government have agreed to join forces to revive the two football clubs.
Emphasizing the potential benefits of sports for both personal development and economic growth, he expressed confidence in the incumbent state governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, catapulting the sector to the height.
Citing the participation of various teams in recent competitions within and outside Nigeria, as well as the continuation of the Olympic Day run in the state, as evidence that governor Kefas has given priority to sports and youth development, he urged the people of the state to put aside their differences and support the governor to invest in sports and other sectors.
He also applauded the state government for its plans to renovate the Jolly Nyame Stadium, which according to him, will help in improving the state’s internally generated revenue, IGR.
Also praising the Commissioner of Youth and Sports Development, Joseph Joshua’s whom he said is committed to the realization of governor Kefas’s Moving Forward Agenda, his committee, as stated by him, will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that it work closely with the ministry to revive all sports that are currently cap in hands seeking for recognition.
Taraba: House committee chairman urges, govt, individuals, others to invest in sports
Olympics: House of Reps lead support for Team Nigeria with N100m pledge
Nigeria’s House of Representatives has gotten ball rolling as they call on other Nigerians to support the Team Nigeria ahead of their participation at the Olympic Games.
The House committed N100 million to support the team as they head out for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, scheduled from July 26 to August 11.
The financial pledge was made on Wednesday, July 17, during a plenary session attended by the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, along with some athletes, the Nigeria Olympics Committee (NOC), and the Paralympics Committee of Nigeria (PCN).
Read Also: ‘Our expectations are high’ – Sports Minister charges Team Nigeria ahead Olympics
Deputy Speaker Ben Kalu announced the support on behalf of Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, stating that the funds would be collectively sourced from the salaries of House members.
“I am conveying the decision of the leadership of the House to you. To kick the ball rolling, we are supporting you with a sum of N100 million,” Mr. Kalu said.
“We are using this opportunity to call on other lovers of sport to support the team because sport unites us all as a nation. We urge the private sector to support the team,” Mr. Kalu added.
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Gov Yusuf shocked as Kano commissioner loses daughter, two siblings in fire incident
Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has expressed shock over a fire incident that led to the death of the daughter and two siblings of Commissioner for Higher Education, Yusuf Kofar Mata.
TVN reports that the fire incident, which occurred on Tuesday night, claimed the lives of the Commissioner’s daughter, Maimuna, his senior sister, Hajiya Khadija, and the wife of his brother, Hajiya Juwairiyya.
Governor Yusuf on Wednesday led members of the State Executive Council and other dignitaries to the funeral rites, which took place at Kofar Mata quarters, Kano.
Yusuf described an unfortunate incident that led to the loss of three innocent citizens of the state, and property of huge value.
“We received with shock the sad news of a fire incident that led to the loss of three siblings of one of us.
“The affected the Commissioner for Higher Education, Yusuf Ibrahim Kofar Mata, at his residence in Kofar Mata quarters within Kano metropolitan.
“It is indeed sad, heart-breaking, and an unfortunate incident that will linger in our memory for a very long time,” he said.
Gov Yusuf shocked as Kano commissioner loses daughter, two siblings in fire incident
54 common traffic violations, penalties in Nigeria
1 Ascertainment Of Weight Violation – N2,000
2 Assaulting Marshal On Duty – N10,000
3 Attempting To Corrupt Marshal – N10,000
4 Caution Sign Violation – N3,000
5 Child Restraint Violation – N3,000
6 Child Sitting Position Violation – N3,000
7 Construction Area Speed Limit Violation – N3,000
8 Dangerous Driving – N50,000
9 Do Not Move Violation – N2,000
10 Driver’s Licence Violation – N10,000
11 Driving Right–Hand Steering Vehicle – N3,000
12 Driving Under Alcohol Or Drug Influence – N5,000
13 Driving With Expired/Without Spare Tyre – N2,000
14 Driving With Worn-Out Tyre – N3,000
15 Excessive Smoke Emission – N5,000
16 Failure To Cover Unstable Materials – N5,000
17 Failure To Fix Red Flag On Projected Load – N3,000
18 Failure To Move Over – N3,000
19 Failure To Install Speed Limiting Device – N3,000
20 Failure To Report Road Crash – N20,000
21 Fire Extinguisher Violation – N3,000
22 Fleet Operation Violation – N200,000
23 Inadequate Construction Warning Sign – N50,000
24 Instructors Permit And Training Violation – N2,000
25 Latching And Twist-Locks Violation – N5,000
26 Learners Driving Regulation Violation – N3,000
27 Light/Sign Violation – N2,000
28 Medical Personnel Or Hospital Rejection Of Road Accident Victim – N50,000
29 Obstructing Marshal On Duty – N2,000
30 Operating A Vehicle With Forged Documents – N20,000
31 Operating Mechanically Deficient Vehicle – N5,000
32 Other Offences/Violations – 3,000
33 Overloading – 10,000
34 Passengers’ Manifest Violation – N10,000
35 Preaching Or Hawking In Commercial Vehicle – N50,000
36 Projected Load In Excess Of Prescribed Limit – N3,000
37 Riding Motorcycle Without Using Crash Helmet – N3,000
38 Failure To Install Speed Limiting Device – N2,000
39 Road Marking Violation – N5,000
40 Road Obstruction – N3,000
41 Route Violation – N5,000
42 School Bus Violation – N2,000
43 Seat Belt Violation – N2,000
44 Speed Limit Violation – N5,000
45 Unauthorized Removal/Tampering With Road Signs – N5,000
46 Underage Driving/Riding – N2,000
47 Use Of Phone While Driving – N4,000
48 Use Of Sirens Violation – N2,000
49 Vehicle Identification Tag Violation – N3,000
50 Vehicle Licence Violation – N3,000
51 Vehicle Mirror Violation – N3,000
52 Vehicle Number Plate Violation – N3,000
53 Vehicle Windshield Violation – N2,000
54 Wrongful Overtaking – N3,000
As cited from the website, the road agency noted that the “custody fee on impounded Motor vehicle and Motorcycle/Tricycle is N200.00 per day payable after the initial 24 hours of grace.”
It added that payment of the allotted fines must be made into the right account and a teller taken to the FRSC office where the booking was made.
“Please pay the prescribed fine(s) into the Federal Government Revenue Account in any of the commercial Banks or online using the Remita platform accessible through
“Select “Pay FG Agency; Select FRSC under MDAs; select “Offences” to pay for fines. Complete the other mandatory fields as applicable.
“Bring the teller/printout to the FRSC office where the booking was made.”
PiggyVest Named Among World’s Top 250 Fintech Companies By CNBC
PiggyVest, Africa’s leading online savings and investing platform, has been recognised as one of the top 250 fintech companies globally for 2024.
The World’s Top 250 Fintech Companies 2024 report by CNBC, in collaboration with market research firm Statista, features companies whose products are shaping the future of finance across various market categories. PiggyVest was listed in the “Financial Planning” category, along with companies like Bankrate, ClearScore, and Check24 — highlighting the company’s innovative approach to helping Nigerians manage their finances better and make informed financial decisions.
According to CNBC, companies listed in the Financial Planning segment are “providers of personal finance management software that help people make sense of their incomings and outgoings by using data analysis tools and an easy-to-use interface.”
This recognition comes on the heels of PiggyVest’s 8th anniversary and the milestone of reaching 5 million registered users. The company’s commitment to simplifying financial planning for Nigerians continues to resonate deeply, making it a trusted partner for millions in achieving their financial goals — big and small.
“It’s very validating to see PiggyVest on the list,” OdunayoEweniyi, COO and co-founder of PiggyVest said. “Being included, specifically in the financial planning category, underscores the work we’ve been doing for our users and community over the years. We are in excellent company — look at that list! It just always feels nice to be recognised.”
Since its inception in 2016, PiggyVest has been dedicated to helping Nigerians save, manage, and grow their finances through simplified, digital, and automated savings and investment opportunities. The company’s innovative products (such as the recently launched HouseMoney™ feature as well as its iconic PiggyBank wallet) are designed to address specific financial challenges Nigerians face.
HouseMoney™, for instance, addresses the top savings goal for Nigerians – Rent. It enables users to automatically set aside funds for rent and bills, making budgeting and financial planning easier for rent-paying Nigerians (who amount to at least 51% of the country’s population).
Companies that made the CNBC list of the world’s top 250 fintech companies were evaluated based on key performance indicators such as user base growth, innovative technology, market potential, and social impact. PiggyVest’s inclusion is a testament to the company’s global impact and innovation in the fintech sector.
“We are very grateful for the recognition of our brand positioning efforts over the years. Fintech is broad, and in a market as tough as ours, with many people doing similar things, it’s important to remain innovative and distinct,” Joshua Chibueze, Chief Marketing Officer and co-founder of PiggyVest said. “We have a unique DNA, and our customers understand our vision. They have also been very strong brand advocates because of the value they derive from using our products. We hope to remain top of mind when it comes to effective financial planning and growth for our customers,” he added.
About PiggyVest
PiggyVest is Africa’s leading online savings and investing platform. Launched in 2016, PiggyVest helps Nigerians save, manage, and grow their finances through simplified, digital, and automated savings and investment opportunities. With over 5 million registered users, PiggyVest is committed to providing innovative financial solutions tailored to meet the needs of millions of Nigerians.
To learn more about how PiggyVest is revolutionising personal finance in Africa, visit www.piggyvest.com.
Stakeholders protest as minister pegs admission at 18 years
Stakeholders at the ongoing 2024 Joint Admissions Matriculation Board’s policy meeting on Education holding in Abuja, have protested the new minimum admission age pegged at 18 years.
Immediately after the Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, made the announcement, the stakeholders who turned out their members from across tertiary institutions in the country, voiced a resistance which turned the session into a rowdy one.
The minister who was unable to proceed with his address as a result of the uproar, had asked “Are we together?”
However, the stakeholders had responded with a resounding “No!”
The minister who seemed unperturbed with the development, continued with his address as he tried to give reasons for pegging the new admission benchmark at 18.
It took the intervention of the Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, to restore order to the policy meeting
The policy meeting on education is an annual event.
It authorized the commencement of admission into tertiary institutions in the country.
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Nigeria ranked 39th in world as Euro champions Spain go third
Nigeria’s Super Eagles have dropped once again in the latest men’s rankings released by the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) on Thursday.
The three-time African champions have fallen from 38th to 39th position globally. This follows a previous decline from 30th to 38th position in last month’s FIFA rankings.
But despite their slide in the global rankings, the Super Eagles have maintained their fifth position in Africa.
The Atlas Lions of Morocco continue to lead in Africa, followed by Senegal, Egypt, and Cote d’Ivoire.
Read Also: Madrid captain Modric signs one-year contract extension
On the global stage, World Cup champions Argentina, who recently defended their Copa America title, hold the top position.
France is in second place, while newly crowned European champions Spain have risen to third from eighth.
England’s Three Lions have moved up to fourth after reaching the Euro 2024 final, and Brazil has dropped to fifth.
The next FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking will be published on September 19, 2024.
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Court fixes date to decide who represents PDP in suit against defecting Rivers lawmakers
The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has set August 21 as the date to deliver a ruling on the legal representation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a suit filed by the BOOT Party against Martin Amaewhule and 24 other lawmakers who defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defecting lawmakers, loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike, have been embroiled in a political tussle with Governor Siminalayi Fubara over control of the state’s political structure.
The BOOT Party’s suit challenges the legitimacy of Amaewhule and his colleagues to remain in the State Assembly after defecting from the PDP.
In a twist, the PDP and the pro-Fubara Assembly have also filed a suit challenging the membership of the pro-Wike lawmakers.
The Federal High Court had initially barred Amaewhule and the others from parading themselves as lawmakers, but the Court of Appeal overturned the decision, reinstating them.
Read Also: More confusion as two courts give different rulings on PDP’s nomination of Ighodalo for Edo guber poll
At the resumed hearing, the PDP’s National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), sought to resolve the issue of legal representation, asking the court to bar Joshua Musa (SAN) from representing the PDP and scrap all processes filed by him.
Ajibade argued that he has the sole right to oversee the party’s legal affairs, citing two judgments from a Federal High Court.
Musa, however, urged the court to disregard Ajibade’s submissions, describing the documents presented as unsigned and concocted.
Justice E.O. Obele adjourned the case to August 21 to rule on the rightful person to represent the PDP.
Outside the courtroom, Ajibade insisted that the national leadership of the PDP was aware of the defections and that the seats belonged to the PDP, emphasizing that only the national headquarters could sponsor candidates.
The legal battle highlights the intense political rivalry in Rivers State, with implications for the control of the political structure and the fate of the defecting lawmakers.
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FG bans admissions for under 18
The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, on Thursday announced a ban on admissions for candidates under the age of 18 into tertiary institutions in the country.
Mamman announced during the 2024 policy meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.
“JAMB is hereby notified that there is now a ban on underaged students, those under the age of 18 into our tertiary institutions from this 2024 admissions,” Mamman said.
The minister, said the Federal Government was considering the adoption of 18 years as the entry age for admission into universities and other tertiary institutions of learning.
Details later…
Deborah, has three years of experience covering the education sector, trade unions, politics and international affairs, and is a journalist with The According
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