President Bola Tinubu Urges State Governors to Focus on Critical Infrastructure and Security Over Expensive Flyover Projects.
President Bola Tinubu has warned state governors against building costly flyovers in low-traffic areas. Instead, he advises directing more federal funds toward vital road networks and security infrastructure.
Speaking on Thursday at the State House in Abuja, the President highlighted that states are now receiving four to five times their previous allocations from the Federation Account.
He made these remarks during a visit from a delegation of traditional rulers from Oyo State, led by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, who came to congratulate him on successfully rescuing abducted schoolchildren and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area.
Addressing former governors in the delegation, Tinubu discussed the financial status of states: “The cost of operation is high. But the funds I am pushing to the states, if available during your tenure or mine, would have significantly changed the landscape… They are now receiving four to five times their previous amount. Currently, no one is borrowing to pay salaries, and pensioners are receiving their entitlements.”
He strongly advised sub-national leaders to prioritize grassroots development and security accessibility rather than prestige projects: “They should do more instead of building flyovers where traffic is minimal; prioritize roads and arterial networks to improve living standards and facilitate security responses.”
Regarding the recent rescue of the Oriire abductees after 56 days in captivity, President Tinubu revealed that kidnappers demanded ransom and the release of detained criminal members, but his administration refused to negotiate.
“We refuse to negotiate for ransom. The kidnappers wanted us to release detained members of their gangs, which we rejected. We are determined not to negotiate with criminals.”
He also announced plans to expand the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions to improve response times and counter banditry and terrorism more effectively.
Furthermore, he highlighted regional security challenges, including instability in Mali, Burkina Faso, and the Niger Republic, underscoring the urgent need to strengthen forest guards and establish a well-structured state police system.
