ABSTRACT

Abstract

This paper has examined the magnitude, patterns, and trends of corruption in local government in Nigeria which has constituted a threatening force to grassroots development in the country. The magnitude, scale, and trends of corruption differ across levels of governments. Federal and State governments are more likely to have widespread cases of corruption due to the concentration of power and resources at their disposal. This gives rise to corrupt tendencies. However, at the local government level, state and local government joint account systems provide an avenue for looting and misappropriation of local government funds. The study recommended, there is an urgent need to put in place an effective and efficient institutional mechanism in all the 774 local government area councils across the country to checkmate all illegal deductions often made by the state government from the local government funds. The study concluded that Accountability and Transparency must be encouraged and promoted in the local government system so as to attain good governance for effective development at the grassroots level. Corruption must be deterred and punished in the local government system to enhance efficient and effective service delivery at the grassroots level.