Local Government Area Chairman
The LGA Chairman is the chief executive of one of Nigeria's 774 local government areas. LGAs are the closest tier of government to citizens and are constitutionally responsible for primary healthcare, primary education, and local infrastructure.
Term length
3 years
Term length varies by state law; commonly 3 years
Seats
774
774 LGAs across 36 states and FCT
Minimum age
25 years
Category
Executive
Constitutional basis
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), Section 7; State Local Government Laws
Qualifications to stand
- ✓Nigerian citizen
- ✓At least 25 years of age
- ✓Member of a registered political party
- ✓Minimum School Certificate or equivalent
- ✓Resident in the LGA for at least one year
- ✓Not under sentence of death or imprisonment exceeding 12 months
Roles and responsibilities
- •Head of the Local Government Council
- •Execute policies and programmes of the LGA
- •Present the LGA annual budget to the Legislative Council
- •Oversee primary healthcare, primary education, and sanitation in the LGA
- •Maintain local roads and public spaces
- •Collect rates and fines as authorised by state law
- •Coordinate with state government on development projects
Powers
- ◆Executive authority of the LGA
- ◆Power to appoint LGA Supervisory Councillors
- ◆Expenditure authority over the LGA budget
- ◆Power to enforce LGA by-laws
Checks and oversight
Who holds this office accountable?
- ⚖State Government — LGAs are constitutionally under state oversight
- ⚖LGA Legislative Council (Councillors) — can impeach the Chairman
- ⚖State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) — administers LGA elections
- ⚖ALGON (Association of Local Governments of Nigeria)
Remuneration
Varies significantly by state; typically ₦300,000–₦600,000 per annum
Election
Related offices
How to run for this office
Step-by-step guide to becoming a candidate in Nigeria.
Browse current officials
See who holds elected offices in Nigeria right now.
Information based on the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Act 2022.