Local Government Administration
- Management Sciences
- 800 level
- 2 credit units
- 130 pages
- 20 units
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.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 60 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of PAD870, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
- UNIT 1: Accountability Theory of Local GovernmentPage 26
- UNIT 2: The Role of Local Government on Economic and Agricultural DevelopmentPage 29
- UNIT 3: Centralization and Decentralization of Government.Page 32
- UNIT 4: Decentralization in GovernmentPage 35
- UNIT 5: Merits and Demerits of DecentralizationPage 39
- UNIT 1: Local Government in Pre-Colonial, Colonial and Post-Colonial ErasPage 43
- UNIT 2: The 1976 Local Government ReformsPage 50
- UNIT 3: Local Government Administration Since 1999Page 58
- UNIT 4: Financial Management in Local Government in NigeriaPage 66
- UNIT 5: Some Measures Of Securing Local Government FundsPage 77
- UNIT 1: Functions of Local Government Councils in NigeriaPage 89
- Unit 2: Challenges and Problems of Local Governments in NigeriaPage 93
- UNIT 3: Local Government Administration in Some Selected CountriesPage 101
- UNIT 4: Local Government Administration in United KingdomPage 110
- UNIT 5: Local Government Administration in FrancePage 124
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
PAD870 · UNIT 1: Overview of Local Government
1.5 Summary In this unit local government has been presented and explained as a form of decentralization. The characteristics of a local government have been given as a sub- division of a country; defined territory and population; and a legal entity.
What you should be able to do
- Explain the meaning and advantages of decentralization of government
- Discuss the concept, essence, forms, and functions of local government
- Discuss problems of local government and local government finance
- Appreciate local government administration in some other countries
- Identify how local government relates with both state and federal governments
- Describe various theories of local government
What it prepares you for
- Local Government Administrator
- Public Policy Analyst
- Urban Planner
- Community Development Officer
- Public Finance Manager
- Government
- Public Sector
- Non-Profit Organizations
- Community Development
- Policy and Governance
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 3: Local Government in Pre-Colonial, Colonial and Post-Colonial Eras
Unit 2: The 1976 Local Government Reforms
Requires understanding of complex historical contexts and policy changes over different eras, demanding critical analysis of the evolution and impact of local government reforms.
- Module 3: Local Government in Pre-Colonial, Colonial and Post-Colonial Eras
Unit 3: Local Government Administration Since 1999
Involves grasping the intricacies of intergovernmental disputes and constitutional interpretations, requiring a deep understanding of the legal and political landscape.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 43 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Overview of Local Government
Unit 1: Overview of Local Government · 2 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 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 2Module 1: Overview of Local Government
Unit 3: The Functions of Local Government · 3 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 3Module 1: Overview of Local Government
Unit 4: Theories of Local Government · 3 hours
Read Unit 4: Theories of Local Government. Discuss the democratic participatory theory. Analyze the reasons for creating local governments using each theory.
- Week 4Module 1: Overview of Local Government
Unit 5: Forms of Local Government Management · 3 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 5Module 2: Accountability Theory of Local Government
Unit 1: Accountability Theory of Local Government · 3 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 6Module 2: Accountability Theory of Local Government
Unit 2: The Role of Local Government on Economic and Agricultural Development · 3 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 7Module 2: Accountability Theory of Local Government
Unit 3: Centralization and Decentralization of Government · 3 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 8Module 2: Accountability Theory of Local Government
Unit 4: Decentralization in Government · 3 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 9Module 2: Accountability Theory of Local Government
Unit 5: Merits and Demerits of Decentralization · 3 hours
Read Unit 5: Merits and Demerits of Decentralization. Explain the advantages of decentralization. Discuss the disadvantages of decentralization.
- Week 10Module 3: Local Government in Pre-Colonial, Colonial and Post-Colonial Eras
Unit 1: Local Government in Pre-Colonial, Colonial and Post-Colonial Eras · 3 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 11Module 3: Local Government in Pre-Colonial, Colonial and Post-Colonial Eras
Unit 2: The 1976 Local Government Reforms · 3 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 12Module 3: Local Government in Pre-Colonial, Colonial and Post-Colonial Eras
Unit 3: Local Government Administration Since 1999 · 3 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 13Module 3: Local Government in Pre-Colonial, Colonial and Post-Colonial Eras
Unit 4: Financial Management in Local Government in Nigeria · 3 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 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.
Preparing for the exam
- Create comparative charts outlining the structures, functions, and financing of local governments in Nigeria, the UK, France, and the USA.
- Develop case studies analyzing the impact of specific local government policies on community development, referencing real-world examples from the course materials.
- Practice essay questions on the theories of local government, focusing on their applicability and limitations in different contexts.
- Prepare a detailed outline of the key challenges facing local governments in Nigeria and propose evidence-based solutions.
- Review all self-assessment exercises and focus on areas where you experienced difficulty, reinforcing your understanding with additional readings.
- Create flashcards for key terms and concepts related to local government administration, such as decentralization, fiscal autonomy, and intergovernmental relations.
- Allocate specific study time each week to review and consolidate the material covered in each unit, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the course content.
Questions students ask about this course
What is PAD870 about?
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.
How many units does PAD870 have?
PAD870, Local Government Administration, has 20 units across 4 modules, over 130 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is PAD870?
PAD870 carries 2 credit units, at 800 level in Management Sciences.
Is PAD870 hard?
PAD870 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.
How long does PAD870 take to study?
About 60 hours of study, spread across its 20 units.
How is PAD870 assessed?
PAD870 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What can I do with PAD870?
Local Government Administrator, Public Policy Analyst, Urban Planner, Community Development Officer and Public Finance Manager.