President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s commitment to strengthening local government administration, describing effective grassroots governance as essential to national development and security.
In his Democracy Day address on Friday, the President said one of the greatest obstacles to Nigeria’s progress has been the inability of local governments to function effectively as engines of development.
According to him, democracy cannot thrive where governance fails to reach ordinary citizens at the grassroots.
“Recognising that democracy is undermined when people do not feel its impact, my administration has sought financial autonomy for our 774 local councils,” the President said.
The President said that empowering local governments would help improve service delivery, stimulate development and enhance accountability at the community level.
He maintained that many of the security challenges confronting the country stem from the breakdown of governance structures closest to the people.
“A fundamental challenge to our nation’s advancement has been ineffective local government administration. The insecurity we are addressing is partly due to the collapse of grassroots governance,” he said.
The President said the Renewed Hope Agenda seeks to ensure that governance benefits every Nigerian regardless of location.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda is about ensuring that all Nigerians benefit from governance,” he said.
He reiterated that national development would remain incomplete unless local communities are empowered to take charge of their own growth.
