International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) |Volume V, Issue VI, June 2021|ISSN 2454-6186 www.rsisinternational.org Page 669 Local Government and Its Development Capabilities in Nigeria: A Study of Nassarawa Local Government Mohammed Bello Department of History, Faculty of Arts and Islamic Studies, Bayero University, Kano, Kano State, Nigeria Abstract: The paper examined Local Government and its development capabilities in Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State. The theoretical framework for this paper is anchored on Amartya Sen’s capability approach. The first clarification that needs to be made is to ask whether the capability approach is a well-defined theory, or something broader, like a paradigm. In its most broad form, the capability approach can indeed be considered to be a paradigm. However, not everyone uses it as such. It could help to distinguish between three different levels at which the capability approach is operating: first, as a framework of thought for the evaluation of individual advantage and social arrangements. Second, as a critique of other approaches to the evaluation of well-being and justice. Third, as a formula or algorithm to make interpersonal comparisons of welfare or well-being. The capability approach is primarily and mainly a framework of thought, a mode of thinking about normative issues, hence – loosely defined – a paradigm. Sen has stressed that the capability approach can be used for a wide range of purposes (Sen, 1993). What does it mean to see the capability approach as a general framework of thought for the assessment of individual advantage and social arrangements? The capability approach focuses on the information that we need to make judgments about individual well-being, social policies, and so forth, and consequently rejects alternative approaches that it considers normatively inadequate, for example when an evaluation is done exclusively in monetary terms. The paper utilized primary data collected from a sample of 267 respondents using self-administered questionnaire, descriptive statistical technique using simple percentage presented in form of table and chart was employed to analyze the data collected. The paper revealed that Nassarawa Local Government has the capability to act and commit, that Nassarawa Local Government deliver on development projects; that Nassarawa Local Government has the capability to relate with external stakeholders, and that Nassarawa Local Government adapt and self-renew. The paper, therefore recommends; that the Nassarawa Local Government should improve on her capability to act and commit by ensuring that it effectively able to make decisions and commitments on viable policies that will improve the development capabilities of the Local Government, that the Nassarawa Local Government should improve on her capability to deliver on development projects by ensuring that the local government have sufficient and capable staff; clear organizational responsibilities; adequate financial resources; and effective administrative mechanisms in place, that the Nassarawa Local Government should improve on its capability to adapt and self-renew by regularly monitoring and evaluating the progress made on its development objectives, and encourage internal learning and reflection, that the Nassarawa Local Government should improve on her capability to relate with external stakeholders by adopting the policy of Public-Private Partnership as well as establishing a cordial relationship with NGs and international organizations. Key Words: Local Government; Development, Capabilities, Approach, Act, Commit. I. INTRODUCTION ocal governments are essential actors in both the challenges and opportunities of urbanization, with their own specific and complementary role in creating an enabling environment at the local level for economic and social development. At their own level, they can promote, facilitate, and regulate the local economic and social activity, deliver local public goods, and enforce local laws and regulations. As such, urban growth helps drive the increasing imperative for effective local government (Hans and Jamie, 2015).In practice, local governments are often keen to assume their responsibilities but face a series of constraints, including staff shortages, inadequate budgets, and weak institutional capacity. These constraints in turn typically result in several problems: low performance in service delivery, unmotivated staff, and dissatisfaction of the general public (Hans and Jamie, 2015). Perhaps the most difficult constraint to resolve is that of local government capacity: capacity development is needed not only for local governments to fulfill their functional responsibilities, but institutional capacity is also required to be able to generate more income and to hire more staff (Hans and Jamie, 2015). Local governments in Nigeria are single-tier government responsible for providing basic services to the people. Local governments exist to provide peculiar services, particularly to rural communities. Countries all over the world, irrespective of the system of government, sees local government as an essential instrument of national or state government for the performance of certain basic services which could best be administered locally as the intimate knowledge of the needs, conditions, and peculiarities of the areas concerned rest with the tier. It also unites people in a defined area in a common organization whose functions are essentially complementary to those of the central government and in the interest of the local residents for the satisfaction of common community needs. As a government, it is the means by which the common problems and needs of a community are economically and effectively catered for. This shows that local government is the major source by which a local community satisfies their common needs and problems. L