The House of Representatives has passed legislation seeking to expand the number of constitutionally recognized local government areas in Lagos State from 20 to 57.
The bill, which passed through third reading on Tuesday at the National Assembly, seeks to amend the First Schedule, Part I of the 1999 Constitution, which currently identifies only 20 local government areas for Lagos State
Following prolonged agitation by Lagos State, the 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) established in 2003 under former Governor Bola Tinubu’s tenure are set to receive formal recognition. Although the LCDAs have delivered effective grassroots administration, they have faced limitations due to lacking constitutional recognition and federal funding.
Proponents of the bill’s passage contend that fully recognizing the 57 councils will facilitate enhanced governance, equitable resource allocation, and improved service delivery in Nigeria’s most populous state. Lagos, with a population exceeding 20 million, has consistently maintained that its 20 LGAs are woefully inadequate given its size and demographic realities.
Upon receiving approval from the lower chamber of the National Assembly, the bill will be forwarded to the Senate for concurrence. If endorsed by both chambers and signed into law by President Tinubu, Lagos State will officially become the state with the highest number of local government councils in Nigeria.
The constitutional amendment is also anticipated to establish a precedent for other states seeking acknowledgement of additional local councils created at the state level.
