FRC Reaffirms Commitment to Strengthen Fiscal Discipline at Local Government Level

By Iyojo Ameh

The Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) has restated its determination to promote fiscal discipline, transparency, and prudent financial management at the grassroots level through sustained technical support to local governments across Nigeria.

In a statement signed by the Commission’s Deputy Director of Strategic Communications, Bede Ogueri Anyanwu, the commitment was conveyed by Mr.

Ado Hassan, Deputy Director, Policy and Standards Directorate, who represented the Executive Chairman, Victor Muruako, Esq., at a capacity-building workshop for local government officials in Adamawa State. The event took place at the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola.

Mr. Hassan emphasized that the Commission remains steadfast in ensuring that funds released to local governments are utilized transparently and accountably in strict compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) 2007. He explained that the FRC’s technical guidance to local councils is intended to guarantee fiscal compliance and strengthen their capacity to deliver efficient and people-oriented services.

“The Fiscal Responsibility Commission remains committed to working with subnational governments, particularly at the local level, to entrench fiscal discipline and promote the effective utilization of resources for sustainable development,” Hassan stated.

He added that fiscal prudence at the local government level is central to achieving Nigeria’s national development goals, as councils serve as the closest tier of governance to citizens. The Commission’s engagement, he noted, aligns with its statutory mandate to ensure efficient and accountable management of public resources across all tiers of government.

The workshop, which drew participants from government institutions, academia, and civil society organizations, adopted a multi-stakeholder approach to strengthen governance and accountability in the local government system.

Technical presentations were delivered by sister agencies and development partners, including the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme, the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), and the Federal Ministry of Justice.

A major highlight of the event was the presentation of the Local Government Accountability Framework (LGAF) for Local Governments in Nigeria, delivered by Dr. Umar Yakubu, Executive Director of the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch (CeFTIW). Dr. Yakubu noted that the framework serves as a practical guide to strengthen accountability mechanisms, ensure judicious use of public funds, and enhance public trust in governance.

He explained that the framework is expected to boost fiscal transparency at the grassroots and complement ongoing national reforms targeted at improving governance and service delivery across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.

By bringing together multiple oversight and regulatory institutions, the workshop underscored the shared responsibility of all stakeholders in deepening transparency and accountability at the grassroots.

The initiative aligns with the Fiscal Responsibility Commission’s broader strategy to build institutional capacity for effective public financial management across all tiers of government advancing Nigeria’s pursuit of fiscal sustainability, good governance, and inclusive development.