President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has charged the chairmen of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas to deliver tangible development in their communities, saying the success of his administration will be measured by the impact Nigerians feel at the grassroots. Tinubu spoke on Tuesday at the first Annual National Conference of the 774 Local Government Council Chairmen […]
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has charged the chairmen of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas to deliver tangible development in their communities, saying the success of his administration will be measured by the impact Nigerians feel at the grassroots.
Tinubu spoke on Tuesday at the first Annual National Conference of the 774 Local Government Council Chairmen at the State House in Abuja, where he called for stronger grassroots implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Represented by SGF George Akume, the President said policies formulated at the national level would have little meaning if their benefits failed to reach wards, villages, towns and communities across the country.
“The true test of policy is not what is announced in Abuja, but what changes in our wards, villages, towns and communities,” he said.
Tinubu referred to his experience as Lagos State governor, recalling that his administration created additional local councils, which became the 37 Local Council Development Areas.
He explained that the move was intended to reduce the distance between government and citizens, widen access to public services and establish more avenues for development.
According to him, the experience reinforced his administration’s belief that national development must not be driven exclusively from the Federal Government level.
Tinubu also pointed to the Federal Government’s case before the Supreme Court, which culminated in the July 2024 judgment affirming local government autonomy.
He said the judgment created an opportunity for councils to deliver better services but stressed that autonomy also came with greater responsibility for elected officials.
The President listed primary healthcare, basic education, rural roads, water supply, food production, small businesses and opportunities for women and young people among the areas where local governments should deliver tangible results.
He urged council leaders to use their knowledge of local communities to identify problems and respond to them before they become more difficult to address.
Tinubu also asked the councils to make greater use of technology, reliable statistics and evidence-based planning to determine their priorities and measure the results of their interventions.
On security, the President said the Federal Government remained committed to strengthening the nation’s security institutions but stressed that community leaders also had an important role to play in preventing insecurity.
He urged local government chairmen to work with traditional institutions, religious leaders, youth groups, women’s organisations, community associations and security agencies to detect and resolve grievances before they escalate.
The President also turned his attention to the 2027 general elections, asking the council leaders to help create an environment where Nigerians can participate without intimidation or fear.
He called for zero tolerance for political thuggery, hate speech, violence and voter intimidation, while urging leaders to discourage youths from being drawn into substance abuse and electoral violence.
Tinubu further asked council leaders to respect citizens’ freedom to choose their preferred candidates and support lawful security arrangements within their communities.
He said the Renewed Hope Agenda should be reflected in improvements in food security, healthcare, education, infrastructure, job creation and local businesses.
The President also urged local governments to strengthen their partnerships with the Federal Government and Regional Development Commissions, saying councils should take a more active role in development planning and implementation.
He challenged the chairmen to ensure their tenure leaves measurable improvements behind in their respective local government areas.
“Let your tenure be remembered for the lives, communities and systems improved in each of the 774 Local Government Areas,” Tinubu said.
He also urged participants at the two-day conference to produce practical recommendations capable of addressing the obstacles limiting development at the grassroots and strengthening cooperation across the federation.