“₦3 Trillion Offline: 767 LGAs Still Missing From Nigeria’s Digital Map Despite Record Allocations”

By TOSI ORE

The Invisible Tier — How Nigeria’s Local Governments Missed the Digital Train

BY every measure, Nigeria’s local governments are richer today than at any time in recent history. Collectively, they’ve received more than ₦8.9 trillion from federal allocations between 2023 and 2025 — a staggering ₦3 trillion yearly windfall driven by post-subsidy revenue growth and foreign exchange gains.

Yet, a digital search for the country’s 774 local government areas (LGAs) reveals an astonishing truth: fewer than 10 have active websites.

In an era where digital transparency is a basic measure of governance, 767 LGAs remain invisible online, operating without websites, digital portals, or any public interface for citizens to access information. Experts say this digital void exposes deep-rooted structural failures — from weak governance and poor accountability to chronic neglect of technology at the grassroots level.

Trillions Without Traceability

Despite the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in July 2024 granting financial autonomy to LGAs — and the Central Bank of Nigeria’s directive that councils open independent accounts to receive allocations directly — digital evidence of their operations is almost non-existent.

Data from the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) and National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) show that LGAs received ₦3.06 trillion in 2023, ₦3.77 trillion in 2024, and about ₦2.1 trillion so far in 2025.

However, only seven LGAs have functioning websites, according to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) — a situation the agency described as “a serious accountability gap undermining democratic governance.”

“Maintaining a website costs a fraction of what councils receive monthly,” said telecoms analyst Kehinde Aluko. “The neglect reflects weak institutional capacity, low accountability priority, and a preference for secrecy.”

Digital Darkness, Democratic Deficit

The implications are far-reaching. Without websites or online portals, citizens in most LGAs cannot access basic governance information — budgets, procurement data, or details of community projects.

Dr. Nnenna Okafor, a governance expert, called it both “a legal and moral failure.”

“A local government receiving billions yet claiming it cannot afford a website either lacks capacity or is deliberately avoiding scrutiny,” she said.
“Digital transparency is now the minimum threshold for accountability.”

In many states, councils rely on state websites or local news blogs to share limited updates. But under financial autonomy, experts say each LGA must independently communicate and account for its actions — something digital tools make possible.

The Connectivity Conundrum

Beyond leadership inertia, Nigeria’s digital divide remains a formidable barrier. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) estimates that only 23% of rural dwellers have Internet access, compared to 57% in urban areas. The Global System for Mobile Association (GSMA) ranks Nigeria among the top 20 countries with the largest Internet access gaps — with over 130 million people offline.

According to the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), around 23 million Nigerians remain unserved or underserved across 110 rural communities.

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, admitted the shortfall but said the government is responding with Project 774 LG Connectivity — an initiative to link every LGA secretariat to high-speed Internet using NigComSat and Galaxy Backbone infrastructure.

“Our goal is to foster inclusive development and extend digital public infrastructure to every LGA, including the most remote,” Tijani said.
“About 40 to 45 LGAs across eight states — Borno, Cross River, Imo, Kogi, Kwara, Ogun, Sokoto, and Zamfara — have already been connected via VSAT technology.”

Under the plan, NigComSat targets full coverage by 2026, aligning with the national broadband project — a 90,000km fibre network under Project Bridge.

A Long Road to Digital Governance

However, analysts warn that Internet connectivity alone will not fix deeper governance dysfunctions.

Innovation policy expert Jide Awe, founder of Jidaw.com, said most councils remain “technologically dormant” because their leaders view ICT as a cost, not a productivity enabler.

“Without a shift in mindset, digital infrastructure will be under-utilised,” Awe said. “Local leaders must see technology as a tool for transparency, efficiency, and citizen engagement.”

A senior member of the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) noted that Nigeria’s digital growth has been a mere 17% in 15 years — a reflection of structural stagnation.

“The problem isn’t money,” he said. “It’s mindset. Most local officials lack digital skills and see no reason to be accountable online.”

Bridging the Gap: What’s at Stake

NigComSat’s Senior Manager for Corporate Affairs, Stephen Kwande, said the Project 774 initiative is already showing results. Connected LGAs now use their portals to share news, publish tenders, and attract investors to agriculture, tourism, and small industries.

“Broadband access allows LGAs to collect data in real time, modernise records, and engage citizens,” Kwande explained. “They are no longer isolated — they’ve become nodes in the national digital ecosystem.”

The benefits are tangible: online tax payments, digital complaint systems, transparent tendering, and e-administration — all within reach if councils embrace the tools already being rolled out.

The Bigger Picture

Experts say the real tragedy is that Nigeria’s third tier of government — closest to the people — remains the least transparent. With trillions flowing directly to council coffers, digital silence reinforces public distrust.

“Accountability doesn’t start with broadband; it starts with political will,” said Okafor. “If councils won’t invest in transparency, technology alone cannot save democracy.”

As the Project 774 LG Connectivity unfolds, Nigeria faces a defining question: will its local governments remain digitally invisible, or will they finally step into the light of the 21st century?

For now, the numbers tell their own story — ₦3 trillion a year, and almost nothing online to show for it.