Tinubu meets governors in Lagos, demands collaboration on agric, currency stability

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday assured the 36 state governors that the financial autonomy granted to local councils was not an attempt to snatch the third tier of government from them.

The president, according to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, stated this when members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) paid him a New Year homage at his Ikoyi residence in Lagos.

He charged the governors to lead development at the grassroots.

Tinubu stressed that the leadership of governors at the state level is central to achieving food security, economic prosperity, and rapid national growth.

READ ALSO: FOR THE RECORD: Full text of President Tinubu’s speech to Nigerians on New Year Day 2025

He called for stronger collaboration between the Federal and state governments to address local government autonomy, agricultural productivity, currency stability, and other pressing challenges.

The president urged the governors to prioritise agricultural growth as a pathway to economic stability.

President Tinubu said: “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.

“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.

“You are the most important link to Nigeria’s prosperity and development. 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.

“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.”

The Chairman of the NGF, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazak of Kwara State assured the president of his colleagues’ support.

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