Kaduna, PACE Push for Stronger LG Fiscal Transparency
By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna
Kaduna State is strengthening grassroots governance with a fresh drive to review and update the Local Government Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (LFTAS) framework.
To achieve this, the Ministry of Local Government Affairs, with support from the UK-funded Partnership for Agile Governance and Climate Engagement (PACE), Lafiya and PLANE project, convened a two-day workshop for Directors of Planning and LFTAS Desk Officers across the 23 LGAs, Ministry of Environment, CSOs and the Media.
The workshop aimed at aligning LFTAS with financial autonomy reforms and integrating climate change priorities into local governance.
Victor Ashiriba, PACE’s Issue-Based Project Facilitator, said the review will “reflect current realities of local government financial autonomy, embed climate-sensitive governance, and produce a clear monitoring plan with timelines and performance indicators.”
Speaking at the opening, Dr. Mahmud Lawal, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government Affairs, said Kaduna remains the only state to replicate the national SFTAS model at the local level, a move that has boosted fiscal performance across the 23 local councils.
He noted that the updated framework will not only enhance accountability and resource use but also ensure grassroots development is sustainable and climate-resilient.
Dr. Lawal commended the Planning and Budget Commission for introducing LFTAS, alongside FCDO partners and civil society for their technical support and oversight, urging participants to “engage actively, raise insights, and propose practical solutions.”
