THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN GOVERNANCE AS A PANACEA FOR SOCIO-POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA (CASE SUDY OF NASSARAWA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KANO STATE)

This research examines the prospects and challenges of financial autonomy for local government in Nigeria with specific focus on Nassarawa Local Governments Area in Kano State. The study examines the constitutional provisions that theoretically establish local governments as the third tier of governance, juxtaposed against the practical realities of fiscal dependence on state governments. Through a mixed-methods approach combining qualitative analysis of policy documents, court judgments, and empirical data from Nassarawa LGA, this research identifies both the transformative potential and persistent obstacles to achieving meaningful financial autonomy. The findings reveal that while the 2024 Supreme Court judgment represented a landmark development in affirming local government financial independence, implementation has been hindered by political resistance, institutional weaknesses, and administrative bottlenecks. The case study of Nassarawa LGA illustrates how these national challenges manifest at the grassroots level, affecting service delivery and community development. This research contributes to the ongoing discourse on decentralized governance in Nigeria by providing evidence-based recommendations for strengthening local government autonomy while ensuring accountability mechanisms to prevent financial mismanagement. This study employs a mixed-methods approach combining qualitative and quantitative research strategies to provide a comprehensive analysis of financial autonomy issues. The research design incorporates case study methodology focused on Nassarawa Local Government in Kano State, allowing for in-depth examination of how national policies and constitutional provisions manifest at the local level. Primary data collection involved structured questionnaire and secondary data which consists of Journals, reports, researches etc. These questionnaires explored perceptions of financial autonomy, experiences with the State Joint Local Government Account, and observations regarding the implementation of the Supreme Court judgment. Secondary data sources included a comprehensive review of constitutional provisions, legislative documents, policy briefs, judicial pronouncements (particularly the landmark 2024 Supreme Court judgment), and academic literature on local government administration in Nigeria. Keywords: prospects