LAGOS State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has declared that under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, no governor or local government chairman in Nigeria has any excuse to complain about a lack of funds to drive development.
He said allocations to states and local governments had significantly increased since Tinubu assumed office, reflecting the administration’s commitment to strengthening fiscal federalism and empowering subnational governments to deliver tangible results.
Governor Sanwo-Olu made the statement on Tuesday in Kaduna during a one-day public lecture organized by the Arewa Think Tank (ATT) to commemorate Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
The event, held at the Arewa House, was themed “65 Years of Nigeria’s Independence: The Journey So Far with the Renewed Hope Agenda in View.” It brought together political leaders, academics, youth groups, and civil society actors from across the country to reflect on Nigeria’s progress and challenges since independence.
In his keynote address, Sanwo-Olu praised the resilience and unity of Nigerians over the decades, noting that despite several economic and political challenges, the country continues to demonstrate strength and potential for greatness.
“Today, that story has changed. Ask any State Governor or Local Government Chairman, and they will tell you just how much revenues have surged under the watch of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
“There is now more money to do more that benefits the people of Nigeria.”
Sanwo-Olu attributed the surge in allocations to Tinubu’s deliberate fiscal reforms and policy adjustments aimed at strengthening true federalism and decentralizing financial power.
He disclosed that between 2023 and 2024, federal allocations to states increased by 62 percent, while local governments received 47 percent more than before.
According to him, one of the most transformative changes was the adjustment to the Value Added Tax (VAT) sharing formula, which reduced the Federal Government’s share from 15 percent to 10 percent, giving States 55 percent and Local Governments 35 percent.
“This is another bold step by the President to ensure that governance is closer to the people,” Sanwo-Olu added.
The Lagos governor also hailed President Tinubu for championing local government financial autonomy, describing the Supreme Court’s judgment affirming it as a “historic milestone in Nigeria’s democratic journey.”
He revealed that the President’s next major reform target would be security restructuring, particularly through the creation of State Police, a long-debated initiative he said was “long overdue and fundamental.”
Quoting the President’s recent interaction with Katsina leaders, Sanwo-Olu said: “The President is reviewing all aspects of security. He said, ‘I have to create a State Police. We are looking at that holistically. We will defeat insecurity.’”
He described Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda as a “bridge-building framework” designed to unite Nigeria’s diverse regions through equity, inclusion, and shared prosperity.
“President Tinubu is a veteran unifier and bridge-builder. His Renewed Hope Agenda connects the bridges of reform, prosperity, and national unity,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu urged Nigerian leaders to emulate the vision and integrity of the nation’s founding fathers, particularly the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, whose commitment to unity and service, he said, still resonates today.
“More than six decades later, the Sardauna’s words still ring true. Our duty is to build on those legacies, planting trees we may not sit under, but ensuring a better Nigeria for future generations,” he noted.
The governor reaffirmed Lagos State’s partnership with the Federal Government in advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda and building a united, prosperous Nigeria.
“Nigeria is a proudly multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and multicultural nation. What binds us together is far stronger than what divides us. We shall overcome every challenge — poverty, hunger, and insecurity,” he declared.