Nigeria, a country with a rich cultural heritage and diverse population, has adopted a federal system of government. Federalism, characterized by the division of power between the central government and various levels of local governments, aims to balance national unity with autonomy. This study examines the effectiveness of personnel management in service delivery within the context of Nigerian federalism and local government autonomy in Adamawa State. Adopting a descriptive survey research design, data was collected using structured questionnaires from a sample of 399 participants across three senatorial zone: Ganye, Yola North, and Mubi North. The study aimed to explore the current status of local government autonomy, its influencing factors, and the challenges faced by local governments under the federal system. Key findings indicate that while local governments possess some degree of autonomy, this is significantly affected by the division of powers, political and administrative environments, and the legal framework. Major challenges include financial constraints, lack of qualified personnel, political interference, and inadequate accountability mechanisms. The study concludes that effective local governance is contingent upon a wellcalibrated federal structure that balances national unity with local empowerment. Recommendations include legal reforms, increased financial allocations, capacity-building initiatives, stronger accountability mechanisms, and streamlined administrative processes to enhance local government autonomy and service delivery.