ABSTRACT:

This paper examined the challenges confronting local government administration in effective and efficient social service delivery at the grassroots. It presents an appraisal on Nigerian experience with the local government administration and the factors militating against local governments in providing social service at the local level. Secondary data formed the basis of data collection, interpretation and analysis. Data was collected through a comprehensive review of relevant literature on the subject of inquiry. The thrust of analysis was systematically prosecuted under select themes and sub-themes designed to address the salient aspects of the paper’s objective. The paper identified lack of funds, corruption, and undue political interference amongst others as major constraints to local government service delivery. The paper provided some measures to ensure efficient and effective social service delivery at the local level. Such measures include constitutional reforms to ensure total autonomy of local government, enhance revenue allocation, capacity and institutional building that produce the human capital that is committed to the principles of good governance at local level. The paper concludes that if the above measures are employed, local governments in Nigeria would improve in the provision of essential social services to the people at the local level.