This seminar was organised by the U.N. Economic Commission for Africa, in collaboration with the Government of Northern Nigeria, and was held at the Institute of Administration, Zaria. It was the second of a series of U.N. regional seminars on Central Services to Local Authorities. The first was held in Delhi about a year age. A third, in Latin America, will follow next year.

The purpose of the seminar was to study the central agencies and institutions needed at the national level (or in a federal system at the state or provincial level) for the improvement of local government, and to assist local authorities by equipping their senior officers to contribute more effectively to local—and national—development.