LAGOS, March 26, 2025 – The Nigerian House of Representatives has ignited a transformative shift in Lagos State’s administrative landscape by approving a bill to expand its Local Government Areas (LGAs) from 20 to 57. Passed during its second reading today, the legislation seeks to elevate the state’s 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) into fully recognized LGAs, promising a seismic overhaul of local governance in Nigeria’s economic powerhouse.
The bill, formally titled "A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) to Accommodate the Thirty-Seven (37) Development Area Councils of Lagos State as Full-Fledged Local Government Areas," was championed by a coalition of lawmakers, including Hon. James Abiodun Faleke (Ikeja Federal Constituency), Hon. Babajimi Benson (Ikorodu Federal Constituency), and Hon. Enitan Dolapo Badru (Lagos Island I Federal Constituency), with backing from 19 others. This legislative leap aims to grant these councils complete administrative and financial independence, a move that could redefine grassroots governance in a state that drives Nigeria’s economic engine.
Currently, Lagos operates with 20 constitutionally recognized LGAs, a number that has long been deemed inadequate for its sprawling population, estimated at over 21 million. The 37 LCDAs, established in 2003 under then-Governor Bola Tinubu, have functioned as supplementary administrative units, reliant on state funds and federal allocations shared with the primary LGAs. If this bill becomes law, it would not only triple Lagos’s LGA count but also increase Nigeria’s total LGAs from 774 to 811, positioning Lagos ahead of Kano (44 LGAs) and Katsina (34 LGAs) as the state with the most local governments.
The implications are vast. Proponents argue that expanding the LGA framework will sharpen local governance, streamline service delivery—think improved waste management, healthcare, and road maintenance—and spark economic growth by decentralizing resources. Lagos, already a megacity grappling with urban challenges, could see faster decision-making and greater community engagement as these new LGAs take root. However, the journey isn’t over: the bill must still navigate a committee review, a third reading in the House, Senate approval, and a two-thirds majority from Nigeria’s 36 state assemblies before it reaches the President’s desk for assent.
For Lagosians, this development stirs both hope and anticipation. The state, a financial hub hosting West Africa’s largest banks and busiest port, has long outgrown its administrative structure. Residents in areas like Ikorodu, Badagry, and Alimosho—where LCDAs have operated in a limbo of partial autonomy—could soon experience governance tailored to their unique needs. Yet, skeptics warn of potential bureaucratic bloat or funding disputes, given the federal allocation system’s reliance on the current 774-LGA framework.
As the legislative process unfolds, all eyes are on Lagos, a city that continues to set the pace for Nigeria. Today’s approval marks a bold step toward decentralization, but its success hinges on the intricate dance of politics and consensus still ahead. For now, Lagos stands on the cusp of a governance revolution—one that could echo far beyond its shores.
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