By David Akinadewo-Adekahunsi 

In a New Year address to Nigeria’s governors, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emphasised their pivotal role in driving the nation’s development and prosperity, describing them as the “most important link” to achieving food security, economic growth, and grassroots empowerment.

The meeting, held at the President’s Ikoyi residence in Lagos, featured Vice President Kashim Shettima and members of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF).

President Tinubu acknowledged the governors’ significant influence, noting that state governments receive the majority of allocated revenue and control the agricultural value chain.

“The Federal Government accounts for about 30 to 35 percent of the allocated revenue; the rest comes to you. The agricultural value chain depends on you. You own the land, and the job is in your hands,” he said.

The President called for greater cooperation between federal and state governments, highlighting critical issues such as local government autonomy, agricultural productivity, and currency stability.

Dispelling rumours of discord over local government autonomy, he assured governors of his support, urging them to prioritise grassroots development.

“There were gossips that we had disagreements on local government autonomy. No. Just drive development at the local government. Nobody wants to take them away from you, but we need collaboration. Let’s do it together and ensure Nigeria is better off for it,” Tinubu asserted.

A Call for Agricultural Revolution

President Tinubu also underscored the importance of agricultural growth in stabilising the economy and enhancing food security.

He challenged the governors to maximise their efforts to boost production and address currency challenges.

“We have to work harder, grow more, and ensure the situation of our currency improves. Nigeria will see prosperity, but it requires consistent effort from all of us,” he stated.

A Nation on the Rise

Reflecting on his administration’s progress over the past 19 months, the President expressed confidence in Nigeria’s resilience and future.

He commended the governors for their developmental strides, noting that every state had made visible progress.

“There is no state we cannot visit and be proud of its development. We have better allocations now. Let me take the abuse; you take the privileges. Together, we will build a nation we are all proud of,” he added.

Tinubu announced plans to visit Enugu State on January 4 as part of a broader tour to assess developments across the federation.

Governors Reaffirm Support

Speaking at the event, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, Chairman of the NGF and Governor of Kwara State, lauded the administration’s economic policies.

He pointed to improvements in agriculture, attributing successes to structural reforms and better funding.

“The policies are working. In agriculture, I was in Jigawa. The complaint in Jigawa was that there was a bumper harvest, but because of the strength of our currency, traders exported the harvest,” Abdulrazaq noted.

The governor encouraged President Tinubu to visit states to witness their transformations firsthand.

He also pledged unwavering support from the governors in enhancing local security and advancing national growth.

“I must confess that I have not done two years in this administration, but I’ve done more projects in two years than in the four years of my first term. We are getting more funding due to the restructuring of the economy. Yes, there is inflation, but we are overriding it,” he said.

Man of the Year Recognition

President Tinubu welcomed his selection as ThisDAY newspaper’s Man of the Year, describing it as a testament to his administration’s progress.

The publication, previously critical of his leadership, commended his policies as transformative.

“The policies are working, and the progress is evident,” Abdulrazaq said, echoing the sentiments of many governors present.

A Shared Vision for Nigeria

The meeting ended with renewed commitments from the governors to work closely with the federal government. President Tinubu’s emphasis on collaboration and sustained effort underscored a unified approach to building a prosperous Nigeria.

“I am glad I asked for this job, and Nigerians gave me the mandate. We’ll be on this voyage together,” he concluded.