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President Bola Tinubu has urged state governors to channel their increased allocations from the Federation Account into road construction and critical infrastructure rather than building flyovers in areas with little traffic.
The President said improved road networks would enhance the quality of life, stimulate economic activities and provide security agencies with easier access to remote communities.
Tinubu spoke on Thursday while receiving a delegation of traditional rulers from Oyo State, led by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The delegation visited to congratulate him on the rescue of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State after 56 days in captivity.
Addressing members of the delegation, including former governors, Tinubu noted that states were now receiving significantly higher allocations from the Federation Account than in previous years.
“The cost of operation is high. But the money that I’m pushing to the states, if you had it during your own time, or during my time, it would have been different.
“They are taking four to five times their money. Nobody is borrowing money to pay salaries now. Pensioners are receiving their pay.
“They should do more instead of building flyovers where there is no numeric traffic; build roads and artery networks to really enhance the quality of life and the accessibility of the security agencies to penetrate those areas.”
The President also reaffirmed his administration’s policy of refusing to negotiate with terrorists or pay ransom to secure the release of kidnap victims.
Speaking on the rescue of the abducted Oyo schoolchildren, Tinubu disclosed that the kidnappers demanded not only ransom but also the release of detained members of their criminal gangs.
“We refused to negotiate for ransom. These criminals wanted us to release from detention members of their criminal gangs that were already arrested. That was one of their conditions outside the money they were looking for, and we said no deal. We are not going to negotiate with criminals.”
He said the rescue operation demonstrated the importance of intelligence-led operations and informed the Federal Government’s decision to expand the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions to improve operational response against terrorism and banditry.
Tinubu commended the Armed Forces for the successful rescue operation, saying every security incident provides lessons that help government strengthen its security architecture and operational strategy.
The President also reiterated his administration’s commitment to establishing state police with safeguards to prevent abuse, while strengthening forest guards to combat criminal activities in forests and other remote areas.
He attributed part of Nigeria’s security challenges to the worsening insecurity in neighbouring Mali, Burkina Faso and the Niger Republic, noting that cross-border criminal activities have increased pressure on Nigeria’s security agencies.
Since assuming office in May 2023, President Tinubu’s administration has implemented major fiscal reforms, including the removal of the petrol subsidy.
The policy significantly increased revenues available for distribution through the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), resulting in substantially higher monthly allocations to state governments.
The Federal Government has consistently argued that the additional resources should be invested in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture and security to improve the lives of citizens, rather than on projects with limited economic or social impact.
