ABEOKUTA: The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Ogun State Chapter, has called on Governor Dapo Abiodun to urgently address what it described as deepening challenges undermining the functionality of local governments across the state.
The union’s demands were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of its State Executive Council (SEC) meeting held on Wednesday at the union secretariat in Agbeloba, Abeokuta. The meeting was presided over by the NULGE State President, Comrade Adefesobi Adebayo (JP).
According to the communiqué, the SEC reviewed the state of operations in all 20 local government areas and decried what it termed undue interference by the state government, particularly in revenue administration. The union alleged that key internally generated revenue (IGR) sources constitutionally assigned to local governments such as motor parks, garages, mobile advertising, and commercial tenement rates have been taken over by the state, weakening grassroots service delivery.
“RETURN OF THE INTERNALLY GENERATED REVENUE (IGR) OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND FULL IMPLEMENTATION ITS FUNCTIONS
The schedule 4 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) clearly stipulated the functions of the Local Government but the Local Government is currently malfunctioning as result of the undue interference of the State Government on its performance. It is not gainsaying that some of the important revenue items of the Local Government have been taken over by the State Government. These functions include but not limited to; mobile advert, Motor Park and garages, commercial tenement rate to mention but few. This is affecting the functionality of the Local Government to deliver its required services to the people at the grassroots.”
The union also declared a “state of emergency” on local government infrastructure, citing dilapidated offices, poor working conditions, and neglected assets that it said have relegated the third tier of government and impaired public service delivery.
Among other concerns, NULGE highlighted the lack of basic office equipment and furniture, including computers, printers, chairs, and tables, as well as the absence of official paraphernalia for principal officers, forcing many to rely on personal resources to perform official duties.
On remuneration, the union appealed for the placement of Heads of Local Government Administration on a consolidated salary scale, arguing that local government services now employ highly qualified professionals comparable to their counterparts in state institutions and parastatals. It noted that neighbouring states such as Ondo and Osun have already adopted the consolidated scale for similar cadres.
The SEC further criticized the non-implementation of the Memorandum of Action reached with organised labour on July 14, 2025, concerning the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), warning that the delay has dashed the hopes of retirees in the local government service.
NULGE also accused the Ogun State Government of failing to implement local government financial and administrative autonomy, despite the July 11, 2024 judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria mandating direct allocation to local governments.
Arising from the meeting, the union resolved to demand the immediate implementation of full local government autonomy in line with the Supreme Court judgment, the National Assembly’s pronouncements, and the position of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“NON-IMPLEMENTATION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL AND ADMINSTRATIVE AUTONOMY.
Since the declaration of the Supreme Court Judgment of 11th July, 2024, on the direct allocation to the Local Government, Ogun State Government has refused to implement the directive and that is affecting the functionality of the Local Government as third tier of the Government.
Arising from the above, the SEC-in-Session hereby resolved as follows:
i. That the union demands the immediate implementation of full autonomy to the Local Government in line with Supreme Court Judgment delivered on 11th July, 2024. The National Assembly (NASS) Lawfully pronouncement on same and subsequent declaration of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR).
ii. That NULGE as an affiliate of NLC is working in tandem with the Organized Labour to pull out from the Memorandum of Action (MOA) reached with Ogun State Government on the implementation of Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) as a result of renege on the agreement from the Government side.
iii. That the Union demands solution to aforementioned challenges raised by the SEC-in-Session.
iv. Attached herewith are the duly signed attendance of members of SEC-in-Session.”
It also announced its intention to withdraw, alongside organised labour, from the CPS agreement if the state government continues to renege on its commitments.
The communiqué was formally addressed to Governor Abiodun and signed electronically by Comrade Adefesobi Adebayo, State President of NULGE Ogun Chapter.
