(AERC, 1998-03) Ekpo, Akpan H.; Ndebbio, John E.U.
The paper describes and analyses fiscal operations at the local level in order to improve
understanding of fiscal federalism in Nigeria. The paper also tries to ascertain whether
fiscal imbalances observed at both federal and state arms of government also exist at the local government level. The study is based on an analysis of primary data derived from administered questionnaires to randomly selected local governments. The results show that some local governments experienced surpluses during the period of structural adjustment. Deficits were financed through guaranteed state loans, state grants and commercial bank loans. The paper suggests that local government financial behaviour should be monitored in order to ensure accountability and financial discipline