The University of Lagos (UNILAG) and DevReporting are set to host a screening of a documentary focused on the level of accountability within Nigeria’s local government structures.
The production uses Osun State, South-west Nigeria, as a case study to examine public finance management, service delivery, and civic accountability at the grassroots level.
By focusing on a specific state, the documentary aims to provide a detailed look at how local authorities manage resources and whether those funds translate into tangible benefits for the community.
Investigating grassroots service delivery
The initiative comes at a time when the autonomy of local governments in Nigeria has become a central theme in national discourse. Following recent judicial decisions aimed at securing financial independence for local councils, the scrutiny of how these funds are managed has intensified. The documentary intends to bridge the gap between high-level policy discussions and the actual lived experiences of citizens in local government areas.
The film examines the nexus between fund allocation and the provision of essential services such as primary healthcare, local road maintenance, and basic education. Through its study of Osun State, the documentary explores the systemic challenges that often hinder effective service delivery, including issues of fiscal transparency and the influence of state-level politics on local administration.
DevReporting and UNILAG are expected to use the screening as a platform for dialogue between academics, journalists, and policymakers. The goal is to foster a deeper understanding of how data-driven reporting and investigative journalism can serve as tools for civic oversight. By presenting documented evidence of financial management patterns, the organisers hope to encourage more robust mechanisms for holding local officials accountable.
The collaboration highlights an increasing trend of academic and media institutions partnering to address governance deficits through visual storytelling and research. This approach seeks to move the conversation from theoretical debates about decentralisation to practical assessments of how local government structures function in the real world.
The screening is expected to lead to further discussions on the role of civil society organisations in monitoring local government expenditures and the necessity of improved public access to financial records at the local level.
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