Experience in Nigeria with Decentralized Approaches to Local Delivery of Primary Education and Primary Health Services

摘要

Introductory sections of the research report describe the general framework of local government in Nigeria, its relation to national and state government, and its role in service delivery, as well as the problem of fiscal authority, including the distribution of government funds and fiscal relations between local governments. The paper then reviews the delivery of primary education in four villages, followed by a lengthy and detailed examination of the delivery of health care services. The report concludes that the incentives facing most public officials and citizens are not conducive to improved delivery of rural public services, even given the economic improvements generated by structural adjustment.