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PAD870 Management Sciences 2 Units intermediate

Local Government Administration

This course, Local Government Administration, is designed for students pursuing advanced degrees in Public Administration and related fields. It explores the evolution, principles, and practices of local government as a tool for rural transformation and service delivery. Key areas include forms of local governments, theories, finance, problems, and administration in selected countries. Students will gain insights into decentralization, local governance, and the role of local government in national development.

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60h
Study Time
13
Weeks
5h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
Local GovernmentDecentralizationPublic AdministrationLocal FinanceNigeria

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
📚
Math Level
No Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Decentralization of Government

2

Theories of Local Government

3

Evolution of Local Government in Nigeria

4

Local Government Finance

5

Problems and Control of Local Government

6

Local Government Administration in Selected Countries

Total Topics6 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Local Government Administrator

Apply your skills in this growing field

Public Policy Analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

Urban Planner

Apply your skills in this growing field

Community Development Officer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Public Finance Manager

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

GovernmentPublic SectorNon-Profit OrganizationsCommunity DevelopmentPolicy and Governance

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Overview of Local Government

4h

Unit 1: Overview of Local Government

2 study hours
  • • Read Unit 1: Overview of Local Government
  • • Understand the concept of decentralization and its relation to local government
  • • Identify the characteristics of a local government

Unit 2: The Essence of Local Government

2 study hours
  • • Read Unit 2: The Essence of Local Government
  • • Explore the rationale for establishing local governments
  • • Discuss the essence of local government from various perspectives
Week
2

Module 1: Overview of Local Government

3h

Unit 3: The Functions of Local Government

3 study hours
  • • Read Unit 3: The Functions of Local Government
  • • Identify and explain the functions assigned to local governments
  • • Discuss the concurrent functions of local governments
Week
3

Module 1: Overview of Local Government

3h

Unit 4: Theories of Local Government

3 study hours
  • • Read Unit 4: Theories of Local Government
  • • Discuss the democratic participatory theory
  • • Analyze the reasons for creating local governments using each theory
Week
4

Module 1: Overview of Local Government

3h

Unit 5: Forms of Local Government Management

3 study hours
  • • Read Unit 5: Forms of Local Government Management
  • • Discuss the presidential and prefectural forms of local government
  • • Analyze the features of each form of local government
Week
5

Module 2: Accountability Theory of Local Government

3h

Unit 1: Accountability Theory of Local Government

3 study hours
  • • Read Unit 1: Accountability Theory of Local Government
  • • Discuss the contributions of local government in national development
  • • Analyze the role of local government in nation building
Week
6

Module 2: Accountability Theory of Local Government

3h

Unit 2: The Role of Local Government on Economic and Agricultural Development

3 study hours
  • • Read Unit 2: The Role of Local Government on Economic and Agricultural Development
  • • Explain the contributions of local governments in economic development
  • • Identify the contributions of local governments in agricultural development
Week
7

Module 2: Accountability Theory of Local Government

3h

Unit 3: Centralization and Decentralization of Government

3 study hours
  • • Read Unit 3: Centralization and Decentralization of Government
  • • Discuss the meaning and arguments for centralization
  • • Demonstrate the understanding that local government is a form of decentralization
Week
8

Module 2: Accountability Theory of Local Government

3h

Unit 4: Decentralization in Government

3 study hours
  • • Read Unit 4: Decentralization in Government
  • • Discuss the meaning and arguments for decentralization
  • • Demonstrate the understanding that local government is a form of decentralization
Week
9

Module 2: Accountability Theory of Local Government

3h

Unit 5: Merits and Demerits of Decentralization

3 study hours
  • • Read Unit 5: Merits and Demerits of Decentralization
  • • Explain the advantages of decentralization
  • • Discuss the disadvantages of decentralization
Week
10

Module 3: Local Government in Pre-Colonial, Colonial and Post-Colonial Eras

3h

Unit 1: Local Government in Pre-Colonial, Colonial and Post-Colonial Eras

3 study hours
  • • Read Unit 1: Local Government in Pre-Colonial, Colonial and Post-Colonial Eras
  • • Discuss the pre-colonial local government system
  • • Analyze the colonial era and its impact on local government
Week
11

Module 3: Local Government in Pre-Colonial, Colonial and Post-Colonial Eras

3h

Unit 2: The 1976 Local Government Reforms

3 study hours
  • • Read Unit 2: The 1976 Local Government Reforms
  • • Discuss the main features of the 1976 Local Government Reform
  • • Analyze the impact of the 1984 reforms
Week
12

Module 3: Local Government in Pre-Colonial, Colonial and Post-Colonial Eras

3h

Unit 3: Local Government Administration Since 1999

3 study hours
  • • Read Unit 3: Local Government Administration Since 1999
  • • Discuss the overview of local government administration since 1999
  • • Explain the importance of local government administration reform in Nigeria
Week
13

Module 3: Local Government in Pre-Colonial, Colonial and Post-Colonial Eras

6h

Unit 4: Financial Management in Local Government in Nigeria

3 study hours
  • • Read Unit 4: Financial Management in Local Government in Nigeria
  • • Discuss the various sources and constitutional provisions of local government finance in Nigeria
  • • Analyze the trends in the changes in the financial fortunes of local governments in Nigeria

Unit 5: Some Measures Of Securing Local Government Funds

3 study hours
  • • Read Unit 5: Some Measures Of Securing Local Government Funds
  • • Discuss the Implementation Guidelines on the Application of Civil Service Reforms in the Local Government Service
  • • Analyze the Financial autonomy for local governments

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create comparative charts outlining the structures, functions, and financing of local governments in Nigeria, the UK, France, and the USA.

2

Develop case studies analyzing the impact of specific local government policies on community development, referencing real-world examples from the course materials.

3

Practice essay questions on the theories of local government, focusing on their applicability and limitations in different contexts.

4

Prepare a detailed outline of the key challenges facing local governments in Nigeria and propose evidence-based solutions.

5

Review all self-assessment exercises and focus on areas where you experienced difficulty, reinforcing your understanding with additional readings.

6

Create flashcards for key terms and concepts related to local government administration, such as decentralization, fiscal autonomy, and intergovernmental relations.

7

Allocate specific study time each week to review and consolidate the material covered in each unit, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the course content.