Local government retrenchment strategies in Nigeria, 1985-87: A comparison with U.S. localities

Local governments worldwide have generally borne the brunt of economic downturns. This research compares retrenchment strategies adopted by Local Government Areas in the Nigerian state of Bendel and county governments in Ohio. There is strong support among local officials in each location for more fiscal assistance from higher levels of government, more revenue-raising capacity for local governments, and less external mandating of increased local functional responsibility without a commensurate expansion of the revenue base. Differences in coping strategies, where they exist such as in the use of public-private partnerships, service elimination, or transferring-of-functions cutback strategies, are generally attributable to variations in the economic base or legal authority of Nigerian and Ohio local governments.