The 1976 Local government reform was embarked upon by the central government under the leadership of ______?

Analyze the question: It asks who led the central government during the 1976 Local Government Reform in Nigeria.

Explain the concept: The 1976 Local Government Reform was a major restructuring of local administration in Nigeria. It aimed to:

• Create a uniform, single-tier system of local government across the country
• Make local governments the third tier of government
• Give them defined functions and a guaranteed share of revenue
• Bring government closer to the grassroots

Step-by-step solution:

1. The reform took place in 1976.
2. Nigeria's heads of state around that time were: • General Yakubu Gowon (1966 to July 1975) • General Murtala Mohammed (July 1975 to February 1976) • General Olusegun Obasanjo (February 1976 to 1979)
3. The reform was formally launched in 1976 under the Obasanjo military administration. Murtala Mohammed's government had set up the process, but Obasanjo took over after Murtala's assassination in February 1976 and carried it out.
4. Check the other options: • Abacha ruled from 1993 to 1998, which is too late. • Buhari ruled from 1983 to 1985 as a military head of state, which is also too late. • Goodluck Jonathan was a civilian president from 2010 to 2015, so he does not fit.

Answer: The reform was embarked upon under General Olusegun Obasanjo, which is option A.

Exam tip: Link the dates to the leaders:

• 1976 = Obasanjo (local government reform)
• 1979 = handover to civilian rule (Shagari)
• 1983 = Buhari
• 1993 to 1998 = Abacha

Whenever you see "1976 Local Government Reform," think of Obasanjo's regime.