President Bola Tinubu has called on the Nigerian media to extend its scrutiny beyond the federal government, urging journalists to hold state and local government administrations accountable for how they utilise public funds.
The President made the appeal on Friday when he hosted media executives and proprietors at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja. He argued that national development is a collective responsibility that cannot be left to the Federal Government alone, especially in light of recent governance reforms.
Tinubu specifically cited the increased financial autonomy granted to local governments, which now receive direct allocations from the Federation Account. He charged the media to play a watchdog role at all levels of governance.
“We’ve opened up the principle of federalism to the extent that local governments are now getting their money. But how they use it is in your hands,” Tinubu told the gathering.
“So don’t bombard me alone; look at the local government too. Yes, we can complain it’s not enough; we can complain we are not where we should be. But we have to manage what we have to sustain today, survive tomorrow, and make progress.”
The President also addressed the fiscal health of sub-national entities, asserting that no state government is currently borrowing to pay salaries—a significant departure from the recurring financial crises that plagued many states in previous years.
“Today, there is no state that is borrowing to pay the salaries of employees,” he stated.
Reiterating his commitment to governance, the former Lagos State governor described his approach as one of “patriotic dedication” to improving Nigeria. He emphasized that the task of nation-building rests on the shoulders of all citizens and institutions.
“And I promise you, the job that I continue to do is dedication—patriotic dedication to improve Nigeria. It’s all in our hands; it’s a collective responsibility,” he said.
The President’s remarks come amid ongoing discussions about fiscal transparency and accountability following the Supreme Court’s affirmation of local government financial autonomy, which has shifted greater financial responsibility to the grassroots level.
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