Administrative Constraints and Local Government Performance in Wukari Local Government Area, Taraba State, Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54536/ajhrpa.v1i2.7388Keywords:
Administrative Constraints, Caretaker Committees, Local Government Performance, Staff ExpertiseAbstract
This study examined administrative constraints and their influence on the performance of Wukari Local Government Area, Taraba State, Nigeria. The research focused specifically on the use of caretaker committees and the lack of technical expertise among local government staff. The study was anchored on Institutional Theory and Human Capital Theory to explain how weak governance structures and inadequate human resource capacity affect administrative efficiency and service delivery. A survey research design was adopted, and data were collected using structured questionnaires from a sample of 380 respondents selected through stratified random sampling. Descriptive and inferential statistical tools, including ANOVA, were used for data analysis. The findings revealed that the use of caretaker committees has a significant impact by weakening accountability, continuity, and responsiveness to community needs. The study also found that inadequate professional expertise among staff contributes to poor financial management, weak project implementation, and ineffective service delivery. The study concludes that strengthening democratic governance and investing in staff capacity development are essential for improving local government performance.
Downloads
References
Adie, H. I., & Anam, B. E. (2024). Assessing the effectiveness of local government administration in service delivery in the Southern Senatorial District of Cross River State. International Journal of Advanced Studies in Economics and Public Sector Management (IJASEPSM), 12(1).
Ahmad, E., & Brosio, G. (2006). Handbook of fiscal federalism. Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781847201515
Anayochukwu, G. I., Ani, V. A., & Nsah, B. (2022). Assessment of local government autonomy and governance: A case study in Nigeria. Journal of Governance and Accountability Studies, 2(1), 15–28. https://doi.org/10.35912/jgas.v2i1.761
Awal, M., Ahmad, Z., & Musa, R. (2018). Intergovernmental fiscal relations in Nigeria: An evaluation of revenue allocation formula and economic development. Journal of Public Administration and Governance, 8(2), 151–164.
Avellaneda, C. N. (2009). Mayoral quality and local public finance. Public Administration Review.
Becker, G. S. (1964). Human capital: A theoretical and empirical analysis. Journal of Political Economy, 70(5), 9–42.
Chukwuemeka, E., Ugwuanyi, B. I., Ndubuisi-Okolo, P., & Onuoha, C. E. (2014). Nigeria local government: A discourse on the theoretical imperatives in a governmental system. African Research Review, 8(2), 305–324.
Eze, R., & Nwosu, C. (2020). Analysis of caretaker committee administration and its impact on local governance in Southeastern Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Political Science and Administration, 8(4), 87–102.
Ezeudu, T. S. (2023). Exploring the complexities of fiscal federalism and intergovernmental relations in Nigeria. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 7(8), 787–806.
Mbaebie, J. (2020). Caretaker committee and performance of local government council in Anambra State. UJAH, 21(4).
Majekodunmi, A. (2012). The state of local government and service delivery in Nigeria: Challenges and prospects. Africa’s Public Service Delivery & Performance Review, 1(3), 84–98. https://doi.org/10.4102/apsdpr.v1i3.37
Momoh, I. O., & Imokhai, P. I. (2025). Local government autonomy and grassroots democratic participation: An examination of the South-East and North-East geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Journal of Leadership and Development, 1(3), 14–27.
North, D. C. (1990). Institutions, institutional change and economic performance. Cambridge University Press.
Nwaodike, C. A., Ayim, E. O., Emmanuel, T. O., Gabriel-Awoleye, S. O., & Alabi, K. (2025). Local governance and caretaker committee system in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic: Interrogating the grassroots implications. African Renaissance, 22(2).
Obi, E. A. (2019). State–local government relations and the autonomy question: Contextualizing the main issues. South East Journal of Political Science, 4(1).
Obisanya, A. R., & Hassan, I. K. (2022). Improving local government performance through financial autonomy and accountability at Nigerian state. Journal of Public Administration, Finance and Law, 23, 222–235.
Odalonu, H. B. (2015). Challenges confronting local government administration in efficient and effective social service delivery: The Nigerian experience. International Journal of Public Administration and Management Research (IJPAMR), 2(5).
Ogunnubi, O. O. (2022). Decentralisation and local governance in Nigeria: Issues, challenges and prospects. Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance, 27, 5–16.
Oluwasanmi, A. C. (2025). Human capital challenges, local government autonomy and effective service delivery in local government system in Nigeria. British Journal of Multidisciplinary and Advanced Studies, 6(3), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.37745/bjmas.2022.04896
Omar, M. (2009). Urban governance and service delivery in Nigeria. Development in Practice, 19(1), 72–78.
Ostrom, V., & Ostrom, E. (2019). Public goods and public choices. In Alternatives for delivering public services (pp. 7–49). Routledge.
Scott, W. R. (2014). Institutions and organizations: Ideas, interests, and identities (4th ed.). Sage Publications.
Schultz, T. W. (1961). Investment in human capital. American Economic Review, 51(1), 1–17.
Tijani, S. O., & Alasan, F. (2024). Local government autonomy as an instrument for national development in Nigeria. Journal of African Sustainable Development, 6(2).
Usman, H., & Abba, M. (2022). Expertise and performance in local government administration: A case study of Borno State, Nigeria. Journal of Human Resources and Public Administration, 11(2), 112–130.
Yusuf, A., & Bello, O. (2021). Local government performance and the influence of state government oversight in Central Nigeria. Journal of Administrative Studies, 15(1), 57–70.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Samuel Andokari Adda, Morgan Prayer Christopher, Wunuji Wakimbo (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
