BY SA'IDU IDRIS DIBIS (COACH)
The strategic significance of the local government Council in a federal system is so enormous that it's the root upon which governance at grassroots is laid.
With the assumption of Governor Uba Sani APC administration in Kaduna state, that responsibility rests on a shrewd, witty, and suave personality, Hon. Saddiq Mamman Lagos as the Commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs
He was given the task as part of Governor Uba Sani’s efforts to reshape the strategic democratic governance. His duties encompass managing Kaduna’s 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and ensuring adherence to the state’s SUSTAIN Agenda, which emphasizes rural development, community engagement, inclusion and strengthening traditional institutions. The ministry’s responsibilities include coordinating LGA budgets, overseeing infrastructure projects, and tackling community issues such as security and service delivery.
Hon. MammanLagos, known for his intelligence and dedication to work ethics, is reposing his boss confidence in this onerous task, thus helping the governor to fulfil his objectives. Among some of the strategies he adopts are so far that makes his sojourn newsworthy are
Financial Reforms and Accountability
Hon. Mamman Lagos has given premium to transparency in LG fund allocations that guard against mismanagement and ensures they benefit local communities across the state. As Chairman of the Technical Committee of the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC), he has implemented stricter controls on fund distribution to the 23 LGAs. For example: – Real-time financial reporting: Instituted monthly JAAC meetings with LGA leaders, finance officials, and agencies like the Kaduna Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) for budget assessment and project tracking; then
– Direct project funding, KADSUBEB, etc.
With the approval of all 23 chairmen, 60% of LGA funds designated for critical projects (e.g., primary healthcare centres, schools) to reduce bureaucratic delays.
– Audit partnerships:Joined forces with the auditor general of local government for quarterly reviews of LGA expenditures, resulting in a high reduction in leakages.
Strengthening Local Governance Structures
Secondly, Hon. Lagos is empowering LGAs as a tiers with autonomy, in which he concentrated on ensuring chairmen key-into – Capacity building, thus initiating training for LGA chairmen and staff on modern governance practices, including digital project management and participatory budgeting. In the same token, he decentralized decision-making by promoting the adoption of the LGAs Community Development Charter (CDC), thereby allowing communities to propose and prioritize development projects. Over 200 initiatives funded in 2024 and another 250 in 2025 included projects like modern boreholes and rural roads, etc.
– Performance-based incentives: Launched annual awards for LGAs excelling in service provision, stimulating healthy competition; for example, Zaria LGA was recognized for completing 15 CDC projects early.
3. Modernizing Chieftaincy Affairs
Sadq has rejuvenated the ministry’s role in supporting traditional institutions while aligning with modern governance:
– Conflict resolution frameworks: Set up mediation committees to resolve chieftaincy disputes in areas like Kajuru and Sanga LGAs, lowering community tensions.
– Digitization of records: Created a digital database for royal lineages and chieftaincy titles to prevent fraudulent claims and ensure historical accuracy.
4. Enhancing Security and Rural Development
Acknowledging insecurity as a development obstacle, Lagos has:
– Collaborated with security agencies: Worked with the Kaduna State Security Council to deploy vigilante groups and install surveillance in at-risk LGAs like Birnin Gwari and Giwa.
– Integrated development-security initiatives:Linked infrastructure projects to security strategies in vulnerable areas, such as constructing roads and solar-powered streetlights.
5. Technology-Driven Governance
Lagos is utilizing technology to connect the ministry and LGAs:
– E-monitoring platforms: Created a dashboard for citizens to track project progress and report issues promptly.
– Geospatial mapping: Employed GIS tools to identify underserved areas and allocate resources fairly, leading to the establishment of 10 new clinics in 50 mapped remote villages that lacked healthcare facilities.
6. Citizen Engagement and Transparency
To restore public trust, Lagos has advocated for:
– Domestication of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act:Required LGAs to post budgets and project updates on public platforms.
– Town hall meetings:Conducted quarterly forums that allowed over 5,000 residents to engage directly with LGA chairmen and ministry officials in 2024 to 2025, resolving 80% of grievances within days
Despite these advances, challenges such as banditry, funding shortfalls, and bureaucratic resistance persist. Lagos’s proactive strategies include:
– Expanding
Synergy with other ministries and agencies, most especially Ministries of Environment, Health, Sports, while agencies like KADPHCA, SUBEB, etc, and collaborations with NGOs and international donors for rural initiatives.
– Enhancing the Agricultural Support Program to improve livelihoods in areas like Kachia and Ikara.
– Advocating for constitutional amendments to grant LGAs more autonomy.
As the adage says, a golden fish has no hiding place, Hon. Mamman Lagos, as a result of his diligence to duty that redefines LG Ministry's administration, is unanimosly endorsed as the chairman of 36 LGAs Commissioners in Nigeria. The former Deputy Governor of Kano state, former Commissioner Ministry of local government affairs Kano state and Chairman of the 36 states Commissioners of local Government Affairs Forum, Hon. Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo had stepped down as the Chairman of the 36 states Commissioners of local government affairs Forum, following the reshufflement by Kano state government, and the new Chairman was endorsed by all 36 states local government commissioners of Nigeria.
To complement such priorities, the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs under, Hon. Lagos watch had initiated and organized the Flag-off of the distribution of essentials drugs and hospital equipment to the 255 primary health care centres across the 23 LGAs of the state.
He integrates traditional institutions into modern accountability systems, focusing on transparency, technology, and citizens involvement that makes the ministry a driver of inclusive development. He always simplifies complex problems with his characteristic humour, reforming the unreformable and making citizens see and believe that governance is not rocket science.
Hon Mamman Lagos deserves positive recommendations and encouragement, not baseless criticism.
Dibis is the special assistant on sports matters to HE Gov. Uba Sani