Temitope Mustapha, Abuja
The Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu, has called on state and local governments to actively support the federal government in nation-building, stressing that subnational authorities must commit more resources to driving sustainable development.
President Tinubu made the call on Wednesday in his address, “A Message of Hope” to citizens during a national broadcast commemorating Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
Emphasising that his administration is laying a new foundation for good governance and economic renewal, President Tinubu noted that the administration’s success would not be measured by statistics alone, but by the utilisation of allocated resources and the stability achieved over the past twenty-eight months.
He said this must translate into greater food sufficiency, increased allocations to state governments, and the deepening of local government autonomy that is already beginning to yield tangible development.
President Tinubu further urged State Governors to mobilise resources towards enhancing productivity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. He tasked the sub-nationals with prioritising agricultural development and the establishment of factories to stimulate job creation and drive economic growth.
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“Fellow Nigerians, I have always candidly acknowledged that these reforms have come with some temporary pains. The biting effects of inflation and the rising cost of living remain a significant concern to our government.
“However, the alternative of allowing our country to descend into economic chaos or bankruptcy was not an option. Our macro-economic progress has proven that our sacrifices have not been in vain. Together, we are cast in concrete, not on quicksand.
“ The accurate measure of our success will not be limited to economic statistics alone, but rather in the food on our families’ tables, the quality of education our children receive, the electricity in our homes, and the security in our communities.
“Let me assure you of our administration’s determination to ensure that the resources we have saved and the stability we have built are channelled into these critical areas. Today, the governors at the state level and local government autonomy are yielding more developments.
“Therefore, on this 65th Anniversary of Our Independence, my message is hope and a call to action. The federal government will continue to do its part to fix the plumbing in our economy. Now, we must all turn on the taps of productivity, innovation, and enterprise, just like the Ministry of Interior has done with our travel passports, by quickening the processing.
“In this regard, I urge the sub-national entities to join us in nation-building. Let us be a nation of producers, not just consumers. Let us farm our land and build factories to process our produce. Let us patronise ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ goods. I say Nigeria first. Let us pay our taxes.”
Reflection
President Tinubu urged Nigerians to reflect on the sacrifices of the nation’s founding fathers, highlighting their devotion and enduring vision of a strong, united, and prosperous Nigeria, a nation destined to lead Africa and serve as a beacon of hope to the world.
“For decades, the promise of our Independence has been tested by profound social, economic, and political challenges, and we have survived. While we may not have achieved all the lofty dreams of our forebearers, we have not strayed too far from them.
“In 65 years since our Independence, we have made tremendous progress in economic growth, social cohesion, and physical development. Our economy has experienced significant growth since 1960.
“Although it is much easier for those whose vocation is to focus solely on what ought to be, we must recognise and celebrate our significant progress. Nigerians today have access to better education and healthcare than in 1960. At Independence, Nigeria had 120 secondary schools with a student population of about 130,000. Available data indicate that, as of 2024, there were more than 23,000 secondary schools in our country.
“At Independence, we had only the University of Ibadan and Yaba College of Technology as the two tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
“By the end of last year, there were 274 universities, 183 Polytechnics, and 236 Colleges of Education in Nigeria, comprising Federal, State, and private institutions. We have experienced a significant surge in growth across every sector of our national life since Independence – in healthcare, infrastructure, financial services, manufacturing, telecommunications, information technology, aviation and defence, among others,” the President added.
President Tinubu concluded his address with a call for collective effort, urging Nigerians to put all hands on deck and renew their faith in the boundless potential of the nation.
“ Finally, let all hands be on deck. Let us believe, once more, in the boundless potential of our great nation. With Almighty God on our side, I can assure you that the dawn of a new, prosperous, self-reliant Nigeria is here.
“Happy 65th Independence Anniversary, and may God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Amen,” the President added.
Hauwa Abu