The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Ogun State Chapter, has issued a strong call on the Ogun State Government to urgently restore full functionality to the Local Government system in line with constitutional provisions and the recent Supreme Court judgment on Local Government autonomy.
According to the communique signed by NULGE President, Ogun State, Comrade Adefesobi Adebayo (JP), the position was reached at the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting of the Union held on Wednesday, 21st January, 2026, at the Union Secretariat, Agbeloba, Abeokuta, presided over by the State President, Comrade Adefesobi Adebayo (JP).
Rising from the meeting, the SEC-in-Session expressed deep concern over the systemic weakening of Local Governments across the 20 Local Government Areas of Ogun State, describing the situation as a grave threat to grassroots governance, service delivery, and workers’ welfare.
Key Issues Raised
1. Withholding of Local Government Internally Generated Revenue (IGR)
The Union condemned the continued takeover of constitutionally assigned Local Government revenue sources by the State Government, including motor parks and garages, mobile advertisement fees, and commercial tenement rates.
This interference, NULGE noted, violates Schedule Four of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and has rendered Local Governments financially impotent.
2. Declaration of a State of Emergency on Local Government Infrastructure
NULGE decried the deplorable condition of Local Government offices, assets, and working environments, describing them as unfit for effective governance and service delivery to grassroots communities.
3. Lack of Paraphernalia of Office for Principal Officers
The Union lamented the absence of official tools and logistics for principal Local Government officers, forcing many to rely on personal resources to perform official duties, thereby undermining morale and efficiency.
4. Acute Shortage of Office Equipment and Furniture
The SEC-in-Session highlighted the lack of basic working tools such as computers, printers, chairs, and tables, which further diminishes the credibility and productivity of the Local Government system.
5. Call for Consolidated Salary Scale for Heads of Local Government Administration (HOLGA)
NULGE noted that Heads of Local Government Administration are the administrative and career heads of Local Governments and possess qualifications comparable to their counterparts in the State services and parastatals.
The Union therefore appealed to the Governor to place HOLGAs on a Consolidated Salary Scale, as already implemented in neighbouring states such as Ondo and Osun.
6.Non-Implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) Memorandum of Action
The Union expressed disappointment over the Ogun State Government’s failure to implement the Memorandum of Action on CPS reached with organised labour on 14th July, 2025, a development that has continued to jeopardise the future of Local Government retirees.
7. Failure to Implement Local Government Financial and Administrative Autonomy
NULGE strongly condemned the non-implementation of the Supreme Court judgment of 11th July, 2024, which affirmed direct allocation and autonomy for Local Governments, despite subsequent pronouncements by the National Assembly and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR).
Resolutions
Arising from the deliberations, the SEC-in-Session resolved as follows:
Immediate implementation of full Local Government financial and administrative autonomy in Ogun State.
Withdrawal from the CPS Memorandum of Action in collaboration with organised labour, should the State Government continue to renege on the agreement.
Urgent intervention by the State Government to address all challenges highlighted in the communiqué.
The Union reaffirmed its commitment to constructive engagement but warned that continued neglect of Local Governments would have dire consequences for grassroots development and industrial harmony in the state.
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