President Bola Tinubu has attributed much of Nigeria’s insecurity to the decline of grassroots governance, emphasizing that robust local government administration is essential for national progress.
In his Democracy Day address on June 12, Tinubu highlighted his administration’s efforts to secure financial autonomy for the country’s 774 local government councils, aiming to ensure that democracy delivers real, tangible benefits to citizens at the community level.
“Democracy is weakened when people do not feel its impact. That is why my administration has pursued financial independence for our 774 local councils,” the president stated. He identified ineffective local government administration as a major obstacle to Nigeria’s growth, noting, “The insecurity we are working to resolve stems, in part, from the collapse of grassroots governance.”
Tinubu explained that the Renewed Hope Agenda is designed so that every Nigerian can benefit from governance, regardless of their location or background. He reflected on Nigeria’s history, saying, “Each generation has a defining responsibility in our nation’s journey: our founding fathers secured independence, the June 12 generation secured democracy, and our own generation must secure prosperity.”
Calling for unity, the president urged Nigerians to work together in pursuit of a more prosperous and inclusive nation. “Let us move forward together, rejecting division, cynicism, and despair, and embracing unity, hope, and confidence. Let us build a Nigeria united by common purpose, strengthened by our diversity, where justice is accessible, liberty is secure, and opportunities abound,” Tinubu concluded.
