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The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening grassroots governance, deepening institutional capacity and repositioning the 774 local government areas and area councils across the country following its 2026 General Assembly in Abuja.
The assembly, held on Thursday, October 15, 2026, was presided over by ALGON National President, Hon. Engr. Bello Lawal, with Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to effective local government administration, autonomy and fiscal viability.
Uzodimma, who chairs the Progressive Governors Forum and serves as Secretary of the APC Campaign Council, attended the gathering alongside the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh.
The governor stressed that effective local government administration remained central to translating government policies into tangible democratic dividends, assuring participants of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s support for initiatives aimed at strengthening the third tier of government.
He said the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda was designed to extend to the grassroots, pledging continued support for local government autonomy, institutional development and financial sustainability.
In response, Lawal, speaking on behalf of the association, expressed appreciation to Tinubu, through Uzodimma, for what he described as the President’s progressive disposition and commitment to repositioning the local government system.
He pledged that ALGON would align its reforms and activities with the Renewed Hope vision to improve governance and service delivery across the 774 local government areas and area councils.
The assembly, which is ALGON’s supreme decision-making organ, brought together local government chairmen, councillors, state and national officials, members of the Board of Trustees, development partners, consultants, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.
In his presidential address, Lawal welcomed delegates and commended their commitment to strengthening local administration, noting that the impressive attendance demonstrated that ALGON remained a united and progressive umbrella body representing local governments and area councils nationwide.
He also recognised former national presidents of the association, including Hon. Ibrahim Jalo Dasuki, Hon. Felix Akabue, ALGON Emeritus Hon. Alabi Kolade David and immediate past president, Hon. Aminu Muazu Maifata, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State, Barr. Labaran Shuaibu Magaji, SAN.
The assembly reviewed and adopted reports on projects, programmes and activities undertaken since its previous General Assembly in March 2021, while examining challenges affecting the association’s effective operation and considering reforms to align its activities with contemporary governance realities.
Among the key issues considered was the need to fill vacancies on the Board of Trustees following the deaths of some members. The assembly resolved that the board should be reconstituted in accordance with the association’s constitution.
It also emphasised the need for local governments to build institutional capacity, improve administrative efficiency and reclaim their rightful position in Nigeria’s governance architecture.
As part of efforts to strengthen the association’s administrative structure, the assembly endorsed the rebranding of the position of Secretary General to Director General at the national headquarters.
The gathering also considered and approved the association’s annual budgets before implementation, adopted reports from principal officers and deliberated on other strategic matters affecting its operations.
According to the statement, the National Executive Council, through the secretariat, had prepared and presented the association’s annual financial statements and budget for consideration, alongside recommendations on standing orders and rules of procedure.
On constitutional reforms, Lawal explained that representatives of the 774 local government chairmen, councillors and area councils, through their representatives from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, had held several meetings to identify constitutional provisions hindering the association’s effective functioning.
He said proposed amendments were subsequently presented to the General Assembly and adopted through a resolution supported by an absolute majority of members.
The assembly maintained that the amendments were validly carried in accordance with the applicable constitutional provisions and were not merely products of a simple majority.
In his remarks, ALGON Deputy National President, Hon. Ikenna Adikibe, who chairs the Constitution Amendments Planning Committee and the General Assembly Planning Committee, commended Uzodimma for his leadership and commitment to grassroots development.
Adikibe, who is also the Executive Chairman of Oru Local Government Area and ALGON chairman in Imo State, described the governor as a grassroots-oriented leader who had continued to balance his wider leadership responsibilities with a commitment to delivering results at the local level.
He said Uzodimma’s presence at the assembly marked a significant moment in the gathering.
The assembly also noted the attendance of Hon. Mohammed Abubakar, whom the statement identified as a former promoter of a factional ALGON. The association said his participation reflected the end of a period that had created the perception of division within the organisation.
The 2026 General Assembly concluded with a renewed commitment by ALGON’s leadership and members to strengthen local government administration, promote institutional reforms and improve service delivery to Nigerians at the grassroots.
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