SERAP calls on CBN to reveal disbursements to 774 LGs

• Published On: 11 May 2025 at 18:55

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has formally requested that the Central Bank of Nigeria clarify whether payments from the Federation Account are now being disbursed directly to Nigeria's 774 Local Government Areas.

Furthermore, SERAP demands that the CBN publicly reveal complete information about these allocations, such as the specific amounts transferred to each LGA and the dates of disbursement.

SERAP made the announcement on Sunday via its official X Twitter.

The civic group wrote in the post: "We've urged the Central Bank of Nigeria to immediately disclose whether the bank has commenced direct payment of allocations to the 774 local governments in Nigeria from the Federation Account with the bank, and to publish the amounts directly sent to each council."

SERAP called for action in response to growing public concern about state governors allegedly diverting funding from local governments.

The organisation emphasised that this demand is consistent with efforts to improve openness and accountability in the management of public funds, particularly at the grassroots.

In July 2024, the Federal Government, through the Attorney General of the Federation, launched a lawsuit in the Supreme Court against all 36 state governors for alleged abuse of local government finances.

The complaint seeks a ruling that allocations from the Federation Account intended for local governments should be paid directly to them, bypassing state governments, to achieve greater financial autonomy and accountability at the grassroots level.

The Federal Government also requested that the Supreme Court issue an order prohibiting state governors, their agents, and associates from accessing, spending, or interfering with Federation Account funds in states that do not have democratically elected local government councils.

SERAP stated that the CBN, as custodian of the Federation Account, has a legal and ethical obligation to encourage transparency in the use of public monies.

It further stated that making payment information public will increase citizens' trust and strengthen democratic accountability at the local level.