This study explores the intricate relationship between corruption and accountability in Nigerian local governance from 2013 to 2024, aiming to assess policy solutions for transparent administration. Guided by four objectives and research questions, the research adopts the Principal-Agent Theory, developed by Michael C. Jensen and William H. Meckling in 1976, to analyze the dynamics between principals (citizens) and agents (government officials) in governance. Utilizing a qualitative methodology, the study relies on secondary data from scholarly articles, government reports, newspapers, and magazines. Content analysis is employed to identify patterns and themes related to corruption and accountability in local governance. Findings reveal that corruption significantly undermines public service delivery in sectors like infrastructure, healthcare, and education, leading to widespread inefficiencies and dissatisfaction. Accountability mechanisms, including financial oversight, e-governance, and citizen engagement, show potential in reducing corruption, though they face challenges such as political interference and weak enforcement. Existing policies and reforms aimed at enhancing transparency have made some progress; however, their effectiveness is curtailed by political interference, low citizen engagement, and inadequate enforcement. Key challenges include limited institutional capacity, weak enforcement mechanisms, and minimal public participation. The study concludes that addressing these systemic issues requires strengthening anti-corruption measures, enhancing enforcement, and fostering citizen engagement. Recommendations include building institutional capacity, improving policy implementation, and reducing political influence to enhance accountability in local governance. This research contributes to knowledge by highlighting the critical impact of corruption on service delivery and providing insights into the effectiveness of accountability mechanisms. It underscores the need for robust political will and active citizen participation to achieve transparent governance in Nigeria’s local governments.