Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, has said policy reforms must address the structural design of local governance and strengthen autonomy and accountability mechanisms to ensure effective service delivery.

Shas noted that sustainable development cannot be achieved without competent and trusted governance at the grassroots.

The Deputy Governor made this known in a keynote address at the 1st International Conference of the Department of Public Administration at the Kaduna State University on Thursday.

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While speaking, Dr. Balarabe noted that the theme of the conference, “Rethinking Local Government Administration: Policy Reforms, Institutional Capacity and Public Financial Management for Sustainable Development,’’ aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reforms.

She emphasised that Kaduna State, under the leadership of Governor Uba Sani, has led ambitious governance reform efforts since his assumption of office.

‘’Our commitment has always been to build a public service that is responsive, service-oriented, people-centered, and future-ready.

‘’And we know that such a vision cannot be achieved unless our local governments are empowered, well-structured, well-resourced, transparent, and effective.

‘’From public financial management to digital ecosystems, from fiscal transparency to human capital investment, from strengthening local governance systems to fostering accountability, our State has consistently demonstrated that reform is not only possible—it is necessary,’’ she added.

According to her, the conference was not just an academic engagement but a strategic platform for dialogue, reflection, and action on the future of governance.

‘’Many Departments of Public Administration in Nigeria began as Clerical Training Centers, for the training of civil servants as clerks and administrators in the colonial era, to service the machinery of the colonial state.

‘’At independence, however, there was a shift in context. Public Administration became a tool for nation-building, public sector expansion, and the creation of indigenous administrative capacity.”

Dr Balarabe further added that policy reforms must truly modernize the local government system, clarify roles, and eliminate duplication and inefficiencies.

‘’They must address the structural design of local governance, the autonomy and accountability mechanisms needed to improve service delivery.

‘’And the legal frameworks that shape the relationship between state governments, local governments, and communities.”

Earlier on his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of Kaduna State University, Professor Abdullahi Ibrahim Musa, said the institution stands out as first amongst equals.

He disclosed that KASU has recently secured a competitive grant of N1 billion from TETFUND, for commercial agriculture.

According to Prof Musa, KASU secured the grant because it met pre-set criteria that demonstrated capacity, proactiveness and a business-oriented model.

‘’In addition, our university has a robust and functional infrastructure, including a social enterprise culture, which made it to secure the grant,’’ he added.