President Bola Tinubu has underscored the pivotal role of state governors in driving Nigeria’s growth, urging them to prioritize agricultural productivity and local government development as critical pathways to achieving economic prosperity and food security.
Speaking at his Ikoyi residence in Lagos during a New Year homage by Vice President Kashim Shettima, members of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Tinubu in a statement by his special adviser on information and strategy Bayo Onanuga, emphasized the governors’ centrality to Nigeria’s progress. “You are the most important link to Nigeria’s prosperity and development,” Tinubu said.
“The Federal Government accounts for about 30 to 35 percent of the allocated revenue; the rest comes to you. The agricultural value chain depends on you. You own the land, and the job is in your hands.” he further stated
The President called for enhanced collaboration between federal and state governments to address pressing national challenges, including local government autonomy and currency stability. Dispelling rumors of discord with governors on local government matters, he assured them of his administration’s commitment to grassroots development.
“We will not fight within us. I will drive the change. You control your local governments. You can restore hope by effectively fulfilling what the people expect at the grassroots level,” he noted
He added, “There were gossips that we had disagreements on local government autonomy. No. Just drive development at the local government. Nobody wants to take them away from you, but we need collaboration. Let’s do it together and ensure Nigeria is better off for it.”
Highlighting agriculture as a cornerstone of national stability, President Tinubu urged governors to focus on increasing productivity to improve the economy and stabilize the currency. “We have to work harder, grow more, and ensure the situation of our currency improves. Nigeria will see prosperity, but it requires consistent effort from all of us,” he said.
Tinubu expressed confidence in the resilience of his administration’s policies, stating, “I am glad I asked for this job, and Nigerians gave me the mandate. We’ll be on this voyage together.”
Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum and Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazak, lauded the administration’s policies, citing their impact on agriculture and economic growth. “The policies are working. In agriculture, I was in Jigawa. The complaint in Jigawa was that there was a bumper harvest, but because of the strength of our currency, traders exported the harvest,” Abdulrazak said. “Most of us are encouraging ourselves to buy bumper stocks into our silos, store them for the rainy day.”
The governor also praised the increased funding for state projects, attributing it to the administration’s economic restructuring. “I must confess that I have not done two years in this administration, but I’ve done more projects in two years than in the four years of my first term,” he noted.
President Tinubu announced plans to visit Enugu State on January 4 as part of his ongoing engagement with states. He also welcomed his recognition by ThisDay newspaper as Man of the Year, describing it as a validation of his administration’s progress. “We have better allocations now. Let me take the abuse; you take the privileges. Together, we will build a nation we are all proud of,” he said.
Onanuga confirmed that the homage reinforced the administration’s commitment to fostering collaboration between federal and state governments for the nation’s prosperity.
