Evaluating the Role of Local Government Administration in Promoting Primary Healthcare Delivery in Jigawa State, North West Nigeria

This study evaluates the contribution of local government administration to primary healthcare delivery in Jigawa State, North West Nigeria. Local governments are constitutionally assigned primary responsibility for healthcare at the grassroots level; however, inadequate funding, weak institutional capacity, and political interference have compromised service delivery in many states. Drawing on decentralisation theory and current health governance literature from 2020 to 2024, the study adopts a descriptive research design. Data are gathered from 200 respondents comprising community health workers, ward councillors, and household members in four selected local government areas. Structured interview guides and observation checklists complement the questionnaire instrument. Simple percentage analysis and Likert scale scoring are used to present findings. The study anticipates that gaps in staff deployment, drug supply chains, and revenue allocation significantly undermine primary healthcare outcomes. It also examines the oversight role of state and federal agencies in supporting local government health functions. The research findings are expected to provide practical policy directions for reforming the fiscal and administrative architecture of primary healthcare governance in Jigawa and comparable North West states. The study reinforces the importance of robust local government systems as the foundation of universal health coverage in Nigeria. Keywords: local government, primary healthcare, decentralisation, Jigawa State, health governance