Tinubu Urges States, LGs to Deliver Development as Funds Increase

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged state and local government authorities to ensure that the increased funds available to them translate into meaningful development at the grassroots level.

Speaking during an interfaith breaking of fast with leaders of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), and the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) at the State House in Abuja, the President emphasised the need for accountability across all tiers of government.

Tinubu said the reforms implemented by the federal government have expanded the fiscal space for states and local governments, making more funds available for development. According to him, the responsibility now lies with sub-national governments to ensure that the resources are properly utilised to improve the lives of citizens.

The President urged the media to broaden its focus beyond the federal government and also scrutinise the activities of state and local government administrations.

“We have 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. Don’t bombard me alone; look out to the local government too,” Tinubu said.

He added that states are also benefiting from improved financial conditions, noting that many no longer need to borrow to pay workers’ salaries.

Tinubu stressed that national progress requires a collective effort among government, institutions and citizens, while describing the media as a vital partner in nation-building.

The President also acknowledged the difficult operating environment facing media organisations and commended journalists and publishers for their continued efforts in informing and educating the public.

“I don’t leave my house in the morning without going through the newspapers,” he said, describing his daily reading habit as an “addiction” that keeps him informed about national developments.

Tinubu used the opportunity to address concerns about the impact of global technology companies on Nigeria’s media industry. He pledged that his administration would support initiatives aimed at protecting the country’s media ecosystem from undue foreign influence.

He cited Lekeelekee, a new social media platform recently launched by the Chairman of THISDAY Media Group and ARISE News Channel, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, as an example of local innovation that deserves support.

The President said Nigeria must encourage indigenous technological platforms capable of competing with global digital giants.

He also assured media stakeholders that the federal government would look into concerns regarding tariffs on newsprint and broadcasting equipment, which publishers say have increased operational costs.

Reflecting on his administration’s economic reforms, Tinubu noted that difficult decisions such as the removal of fuel subsidy were necessary to prevent the country from sliding into economic collapse.

“At the time, Nigeria was teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. Leadership requires making decisions when they should be made,” he said.

According to the President, despite the initial hardship caused by the reforms, the country has begun to stabilise economically.

“Today, I can proudly say we are back from the brink,” Tinubu added, recalling earlier challenges such as high inflation, exchange rate instability and debts owed to international airlines.

Grand Patron of NPAN and former Ogun State Governor, Olusegun Osoba, commended Tinubu for what he described as bold economic reforms, including the establishment of the Nigeria Revenue Service and the National Single Window policy aimed at boosting government revenue.

Also speaking, President of the Nigeria Press Organisation and Publisher of BusinessDay newspaper, Frank Aigbogun, appealed to the President to intervene on import tariffs affecting the media industry.

Aigbogun also urged the federal government to protect Nigerian journalism jobs from the growing influence of big technology companies that use editorial content from local media organisations without compensation.

Earlier, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the government had begun engagements with major technology companies, including Meta and Google, over their impact on Nigeria’s media landscape.

He assured media leaders that the Tinubu administration remains committed to press freedom and will not allow foreign companies to exploit Nigeria’s media space without accountability.