President Bola Tinubu has urged state governors to channel increased revenues into roads and other critical infrastructure rather than flyovers and what he described as “white elephant” projects, saying improved road networks are essential for economic development and tackling insecurity.
The President made the call on Thursday while receiving traditional rulers from Oyo State, led by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, during a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Tinubu said recent fiscal reforms had significantly boosted allocations to states, urging governors to invest the funds in projects that directly improve the lives of citizens and enhance security.
According to him, expanding road networks into underserved communities would stimulate economic activities while enabling security agencies to respond more quickly to emergencies.
“The money going to the states today is four to five times what they used to receive. Nobody is borrowing to pay salaries anymore, and pensioners are receiving their entitlements,” the President said.
“You should help us communicate to these governors. Instead of building flyovers where there is no significant traffic, build roads and arterial networks that improve access, enhance quality of life and enable security agencies to reach vulnerable communities quickly.”
Tinubu stressed that infrastructure planning should be driven by the needs of the people and national security priorities, noting that accessible roads are vital for the rapid deployment of security personnel and the delivery of essential services.
The President also highlighted his administration’s security reforms, including plans to expand the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions, establish state police with constitutional safeguards, and strengthen the Forest Guard to combat criminal activities in forested areas.
“As we emphasise security, each event teaches us new methods and challenges us to re-examine our architecture, strategy and operations,” he said.
Tinubu explained that the Federal Government refused to negotiate with the kidnappers of the Oriire pupils in Oyo State, insisting that paying ransom would encourage criminality.
“We refused to pay ransom. We have the geography of the forest, and in response to it, we are moving from eight divisions to 12 to shorten response times and give our forces the capacity needed to defeat terrorism and banditry,” he said.
The President disclosed that some of the criminal elements involved in the kidnapping were not Nigerians, attributing part of the country’s security challenges to cross-border movements linked to instability in neighbouring Sahel countries.
He said intelligence gathering and community vigilance remained critical in addressing insecurity, urging citizens to report suspicious movements within their communities.
“We are enhancing the capacity of the Forest Guard. They will not only protect wildlife; they will pursue criminals in the forests. Intelligence is important, and I urge people to be vigilant, know their neighbourhoods and report strangers,” he said.
Tinubu reiterated his support for the establishment of state police, assuring Nigerians that adequate constitutional safeguards would be put in place to prevent abuse while traditional rulers would play active roles in the policing structure.
He also commended the armed forces for the successful rescue of the abducted Oriire pupils, describing the operation as a testament to the effectiveness of the country’s evolving security strategy.
Earlier, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, thanked the President for the Federal Government’s swift response to the recent kidnappings in Oyo State, saying the decision not to pay ransom demonstrated resolve in confronting insecurity.
The monarch called for sustained security operations in the forests stretching from Oyo to Niger State to prevent criminal groups from regrouping and also commended the Tinubu administration for ongoing infrastructure projects in Oyo State, noting that over 10 federal projects worth more than ₦2 trillion were currently underway.
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