By Hosea Parah, Abuja
The Committee of Youth on Mobilization and Sensitization (CYMS) has announced plans to host a two-day National Conference on Local Government Autonomy aimed at strengthening grassroots governance and promoting policy reforms across Nigeria.
The Director General of CYMS, Chief Obinna Nwaka, disclosed this in a statement, noting that the proposed conference has attracted official attention from the Presidency through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).
According to Chief Nwaka, a formal letter from the OSGF—conveyed through the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office, and signed on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, by the Deputy Director, Political Research and Constitutional Matters, Mr. Abdulmajeed Abubakar—requested detailed information and a formal presentation on the planned national conference.
He explained that the conference, scheduled to hold in the first quarter of 2026, will focus on advancing discussions around local government autonomy and improving governance at the grassroots level. He added that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, CON, is expected to attend the event as the Special Guest of Honour.
The conference is expected to bring together key stakeholders, including government officials, local government administrators, traditional and community leaders, civil society organisations, and youth leaders from across the country.
Participants are expected to deliberate on strategies for strengthening accountability, improving service delivery at the local government level, and enhancing effective collaboration between local governments and the Federal Government.
Chief Nwaka noted that the conference aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and will serve as a platform to deepen awareness, dialogue, and advocacy for the full implementation of local government autonomy in Nigeria.
“This conference will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to openly discuss the challenges facing local governments, share ideas, and contribute to meaningful reforms that will strengthen governance at the grassroots,” he said.
In addition to policy dialogue and advocacy, the conference will also recognise and honour individuals who have made significant contributions to grassroots development and the advancement of local government administration in different parts of the country.
CYMS stated that the conference aims to identify critical challenges confronting local governments and explore practical solutions that will promote autonomy, transparency, and effective service delivery to communities nationwide.
The organisation has encouraged relevant stakeholders and interested participants to actively engage in the forthcoming national conversation on the future of local governance in Nigeria. Further details on the conference venue, exact dates, and registration process are expected to be announced by the planning committee in the second week of January 2026.