GRASSROOTS DEVELOPMENT THROUGH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTONOMY: A CASE STUDY OF IKORODU LOCAL GOVERNMENT, LAGOS STATE
ABSTRACT
Grassroots Development simply means development both physical, social, educational, mental advancement of people at the local level or at their immediate environment. The research topic grassroots development through local government autonomy means the since the local government is seen as grassroots government. It was created to bring the government closer to the people, autonomy of the local government as a third tier of government recognized by the constitution will bring development closer to the people.
    Local government as the third tier of government has been clamoring for autonomy so as to achieve their constitutional and humanitarian functions. It is to this end that the researcher embarked on a project work grassroots development through local government autonomy while using Ikorodu local government of Lagos state as a case study in other to know if local government autonomy will translate into grassroots development.
    Questionnaires were shared to both male and female respondent in the local government under study and it was discovered that local government autonomy has effect on grassroots development.
In conclusion, the research work exposes the reader to the meaning of local government autonomy and how it will affect grassroots development.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.0 Background of the study ………………………………………………
1.1 Statement of the problem ……………………………………………..
1.2 Objective/purpose of the Study ………………………………………..
1.3Significance of the Study ……….………………………………………
1.4 Research Hypotheses …………………………………………………..
1.5The Scope and Limitation of the Study ……………………………...…
1.6 Organization of study ……………………….……………………..…..
1.7 Operational Definition of Terms ………………………………..……
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
2.0 Literature review……………………………………………………
2.1 A Brief Account of the Research Area…...……………………….…
2.2 Local Government Autonomy………………………………………..
2.3 Grassroots Development ……..………………………………………
2.4 Theoretical Framework ………………………………………………
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research Design ……………………………………………………..
3.2 Population of the Study …………………………………………..…
3.3 Research Instrument …………………………………………………
3.4 Sampling Procedure ………………………………………………
3.5 Data Collection Method……………………………………………..
3.6 Data Analysis ……………………………………………………….
3.7 Formulated Hypotheses ……………………………………………..
3.8 The Hypothesis Testing Using Percentage ………………………..
3.9 Decision Rule …………………………………………………….. .
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
4.1 Data analysis and Presentation …………………………………….
4.2 Demographic characteristics of Respondent ………………………
4.3 Testing of Hypotheses………………………………………….......
4.4 Conclusion …………………………………………………………
CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary of findings………………………………………………
5.2 Conclusions drawn from the findings ……………………………..
5.3 Recommendations……………………………………………….. ..
5.3 Bibliography……………………………………………………….
5.4 appendix……………… …………………………………………...
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.0 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Local government was introduced as a third tier government in 1976 by the Local Government reform and this reform institutionalized the local government as a third tier of government. The local government reform was introduced by the military as part of its commitment to return the country to a civilian rule and act as a catalyst in service delivery, poverty alleviation and grassroots development. This reform was geared towards making the local government more proactive to grassroots development rather than a tool for the maintenance of law and order as witnessed during the pre-colonial era.
     The immeasurable contributions of the local government cannot be overemphasized. Grassroots development as a matter of fact is one the core mandate of local government leaders. “Development in human society is a many sided process. At the level of the individual: it implies increased skills and capacity, greater freedom, creativity, self-discipline, responsibility and material wellbeing” (Rodney, 1973). Grassroots development can also be seen as the increased skill and capacity, greater freedom, greater participation, creativity, self-discipline, self-improvement as well as material wellbeing of individual at the grassroots (local level). Grassroots development is the improvement of people both educationally, socially and economically in the rural areas. The local government has over the years contributed immensely to the growth, development and integration of the grassroots and have bridged the yawning gap between the people and the state government. It also created a platform for participatory leadership; hence, providing a roadmap for the practice of democracy. However, amidst these laudable functions performed by the local government it functioned below her constitutional functions. This is because of the unwelcoming interference of the state and federal government in the internal affairs of the local government. The interference of state and federal government in the areas of local government elections, revenue generation, and funds allocation just list but three these and many other factors contributes to the inefficient service delivery of the local government. Hence, no organization, agency or government can thrive with this kind of interference. The area of revenue generation is a major concern to local government; for no organization or government agencies can survive without adequate sources of revenue generation.
The success of the Local government is intertwined with its ability to generate and utilize its human, material and natural resources for the development of her immediate environment. The inefficiencies of the local government can authoritatively be viewed to be as a result of interference by the other tiers of government.
The local government must be allowed some level autonomy especially in the areas of finance and administration. It also plays an integral role in every country practicing federalism e.g. Nigeria. The local government cannot function to it optimum capacity if it continues to be tied and controlled by other tiers of government. In other to ameliorate the growing debate of the inefficiencies of the local government there must be permitted to operate independently of the state and federal government as enshrined in the 1979, 1989 and 1999 constitution respectively.
Autonomy can also be seen as self-governance, self-directing especially in areas of politics, economy and finance. The 1976 reform of local government recognized the local government as a tier of government and not as a tool to be used or manipulated by the other tier of government. The 1976 reform made the local government free from the state and federal government. According to (Appadorai, 1975) local government is government by the popularly elected bodies charged with administrative and executive duties in matters concerning the inhabitants of a particular place or district. Local Government Autonomy is defined as the freedom of the local government to exercise authority within the confines of the law or constitutions. This is to enable them discharge their constitutionally assigned responsibilities satisfactorily. All these can be achieved only when the local government enjoys autonomy. Autonomy means that each government enjoys a separate existence and independence from the control of other governments. Local government is an appendage of the state and federal; so therefore it should be allowed some form of liberty in the administration of her people (Nwabueze, 1983). Local government must possess the power to take decision independent of external control within the limits of the law”. The local government has not been independent; her independence is only based in theory and not in practice (Ogwu, 2016). Hence, the problem of poor service delivery of the local government could be said to be as a result of interference by the state and federal government.
1.1 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Local government must possess the power to take decision independent of external control within the limit of the law (Adeyemo, 2005). The total dependence of the local government on the state and federal government has subjected the local government to whims and caprices of the state and federal government.
The lack of autonomy has made the local government reactive rather than proactive in the development of the grassroots; this is due to lack of funds and undue interference by the state and federal government. Grassroots Development has been the main focus of Ikorodu local government council and this will continue to be her focus until all the nooks and crannies of Ikorodu local government is developed.
It is in the light of all these that this research tends to look at factors that hinder grassroots development and local government.
The study attempt to provide answers the following questions.
•    Is the local government truly autonomous?
•    Will local government autonomy translate into grassroots development in Ikorodu local government
•    What accounts for the under-development of some areas within Ikorodu local government area
•    Will local government autonomy change grassroots development in Ikorodu local government
•    What other factors constitute a problem to grassroots development apart from local government autonomy
•    Does the lack of autonomy constitute a problem to grassroots development in Ikorodu local government area
1.2 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The broad objective of this study is to examine local government autonomy and it impact on grassroots development in Ikorodu local government. The specific objectives of this study are as follows:
•    What are the impeding factors of grassroots development in Ikorodu local government?    
•    The impact of local government autonomy on the populace of Ikorodu local government
•    To proffer solution to under-development in some areas of Ikorodu local government area.
1.3 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
    The significance of this study is that its findings can be used as a guide to develop a research in the problem of grassroots development and local government autonomy. Also, this study will help identify the various factors impeding grassroots development and proffer solutions to them.
In addition, the study will help the local government in finding lasting solutions to problems of grassroots development.
 1.4 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES
The research work is geared towards testing the following hypotheses:
Ho: Local government autonomy does not influence grassroots development
    Hr: Local government autonomy influences grassroots development
Ho: Grassroots development cannot be achieve through other means other autonomy    
Hr: Grassroots development can be achieved through other means other than autonomy
1.5 THE SCOPE AND DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The research study is restricted to the officials and the people of Ikorodu local government. The officials include career and political civil servants. Again, this research work again is limited to the issues of grassroots development and local government autonomy.
1.6 ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY
The study is arranged in five chapters.
1.6.1 CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
This chapter deals with the introductory aspect of the research work, statement of the problem, objectives of the study and its significance, hypotheses, assumption of the study its scope and limitations and the organization of the study as well as definition of concepts.
1.6.2 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
This chapter contains the literature review, it is devoted to the review of available literature the research could lay hands on, that are on the subject.

1.6.3 CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY
This chapter deals with the procedures for the study titled methodology. It describes the population for the study, the sampling method, the instrument for research the procedure for data collection and their analysis.
1.6.4 CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
This chapter deals with the analysis and presentation of data collected and the testing of hypotheses.
1.6.5 CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This chapter concentrates on the presentation of the summary of major findings, conclusions drawn from the findings and recommendations.
1.7 OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS OF TERMS
In the light of this research work, it would be instructive to define some of the terms used in this research work.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT: Local government is the political authority set up by a nation or state as a subordinate authority for the purpose of dispersing or decentralizing political power. The local government can also be seen as the rural government which is created to ameliorate the problem underdevelopment.
AUTONOMY: this is seen as the independence of each government in carrying out her duties in line with the constitution. Autonomy means that each government enjoys a separate existence and independence from the control of other governments”.
GRASSROOTS: this is the cradle of all political, economic and social activities. It is also seen to be the nerve centre of every country. The agglomeration of various grassroots is what makes up the state.
DEVELOPMENT: this is the process of improving the lives and living condition of people within a country. Development can also been seen as the process of educating and alleviating the poverty condition of the people at the grassroots. Again, development is the progressive increase in the infrastructural achievement and an improvement on the social and economic wellbeing of the individual.