The creation of local governments in Nigeria has long been a contentious issue, marked by arbitrary decisions, military influence, and uneven resource distribution.

As Eric Teniola, former presidential director, highlighted in a recent ThisDay report from Lagos, the trend accelerated during the military era, leaving states with varying numbers of local governments and impacting federal allocations.

Historically, Lagos State included Badagry as one of its original eight local governments in 1979, alongside Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Shomolu, Mushin, Epe, Ikorodu, and Ikeja. Today, Lagos has 20 local governments, yet disparities persist, with areas like Badagry often underrepresented relative to wealthier or more populous regions.

Teniola notes that the creation of local governments has frequently been influenced by political expediency rather than population, cultural identity, or financial viability. This imbalance has created tension, as states with more councils receive larger federal allocations, leaving historically significant areas such as Badagry to compete for limited resources.

As the debate continues, some experts suggest revisiting measures from the 1963 constitution, which sought proportional allocation of federal revenues, to address longstanding inequities. For communities like Badagry, finding a balance between fair representation and resource distribution remains crucial for development and local governance.

Mr. Eric Teniola, a former director at the presidency, provided these insights from Lagos.