Reps Pass Bill to Upgrade 37 Lagos LCDAs to Full LGAs

The House of Representatives has passed the second reading of a bill seeking to upgrade Lagos State’s 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) into full-fledged Local Government Areas (LGAs).

The bill, sponsored by James Faleke, Babajimi Benson, Enitan Badru, and 19 other lawmakers, proposes an amendment to the 1999 Constitution to officially recognize the LCDAs as LGAs. If enacted, Lagos will have 57 LGAs instead of the current 20, increasing Nigeria’s total LGAs from 774 to 811. This move would make Lagos the state with the highest number of LGAs, surpassing Kano (44) and Katsina (34).

The 37 LCDAs were created in 2003 by then-Governor Bola Tinubu to improve governance at the grassroots level. However, they have remained unrecognized by the constitution, limiting their access to federal allocations and administrative powers.

Proponents of the bill argue that full LGA status will enhance development, increase funding, and improve service delivery for Lagos residents. However, the Lagos State House of Assembly is reportedly working on a separate bill to restructure the LCDAs into newly designated administrative areas, raising questions about the state government’s preferred approach to local governance.

The bill will require further legislative approval, including endorsement from two-thirds of Nigeria’s state assemblies, before becoming law.