President Bola Tinubu has charged the chairmen of Nigeria's 774 local government areas to utilize their autonomy to bring about tangible improvements in the lives of citizens. He emphasized that this autonomy is not an end in itself but a means to deliver better services. Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, made this statement at the maiden Annual National Conference of the 774 Local Government Council Chairmen in Abuja.
Tinubu stressed that Nigerians must begin to see the impact of government in areas such as primary healthcare, basic education, rural roads, access to safe water, food production, small businesses, and opportunities for women and young people. He urged the council chairmen to use their knowledge of local challenges to identify gaps in healthcare, agriculture, youth employment, and community security. According to him, governance must be driven by evidence, technology, and reliable data.
The President noted that local government autonomy requires councils to take greater responsibility for planning, coordination, implementation, and accountability. He recalled his experience as Lagos State governor, where his administration established 37 Local Council Development Areas, which brought government closer to citizens and widened access to public services. Tinubu believes that Nigeria's development cannot be achieved from the center alone and that development must take root from the bottom up.
Tinubu linked effective grassroots governance to national security, stating that lasting peace can only be built community by community. He urged council chairmen to strengthen engagement with traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth and women's groups, community associations, and lawful security agencies to prevent local grievances from escalating into crises. The President emphasized that security is a top priority of his administration.
With Nigeria preparing for the 2027 general elections, Tinubu tasked the council chairmen with helping to create an environment where citizens can exercise their democratic rights without fear. He urged them to discourage divisions, adopt a zero-tolerance policy for thuggery, intimidation, hate speech, and violence, and prevent youths from being recruited into violence or drawn into substance abuse during the election period.
The President emphasized that the Renewed Hope Agenda must become visible at the grassroots, particularly in food security, healthcare, education, infrastructure, employment, and local enterprise. He urged the councils to work with the newly established Regional Development Commissions to address their peculiar development needs and improve coordination, investment, and performance measurement.
Tinubu declared that history has placed a responsibility on the 774 council chairmen to transform their respective local government areas into models of development. He urged participants at the conference to produce concrete recommendations capable of addressing challenges hindering local government development and strengthening Nigeria's federal system. The President declared the maiden Annual National Conference of the 774 Local Government Council Chairmen open.
Key points
- President Tinubu charges 774 council chairmen to ensure tangible improvements in citizens' lives.
- Local government autonomy is an instrument for delivering better services, not an end in itself.
- Effective grassroots governance is linked to national security, with lasting peace built community by community.
