As state governments continue to embark on ambitious infrastructure projects, President Bola Tinubu has issued a pointed message that is likely to reignite the debate over public spending and development priorities.
The President has urged governors across Nigeria to stop investing in what he described as unnecessary flyovers and instead focus on projects that have a more direct impact on the lives of ordinary citizens.
Tinubu made the remarks on Thursday, July 30, while receiving traditional rulers from Oyo State, led by Oba Rashidi Ladoja, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, at the State House in Abuja.
Addressing Oba Ladoja, who also served as governor of Oyo State between 2003 and 2007, Tinubu reflected on how dramatically state revenues have increased since both men were governors. Tinubu, who governed Lagos State from 1999 to 2007, noted that today’s governors receive four to five times the financial allocations available during their tenure.
According to the President, the improved allocations have eased the financial burden on many states, with governors no longer borrowing money to pay workers’ salaries and pensioners now receiving their entitlements more consistently.
He stressed that the increased resources should translate into better living conditions for Nigerians rather than expensive projects with little practical value.
“You have governed before as a governor. You need to help us communicate to these governors.
“Today, the economy of operation is high. But the money that I’m pushing to the states, if you had had it during your own time or during my time, it would have been different.
“They are taking four to five times their money. Nobody is borrowing money to pay salaries now. Pensioners are receiving their pay.
“They should do more instead of building flyovers where there is no numeric traffic; build roads and artery networks to really enhance the quality of life and the accessibility of the security agencies to penetrate those areas.”
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