RismadarVoice Reporters
September 22, 2026
President Bola Tinubu has called on chairmen of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas to prioritise measurable development in their communities, saying government policies should translate into improvements in the daily lives of citizens.
Tinubu made the call on Tuesday during the maiden Annual National Conference of the 774 Local Government Council Chairmen in Nigeria, held at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Abuja.
Speaking on the theme of taking his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda to the grassroots, the President said the effectiveness of government policies should ultimately be assessed by their impact on communities rather than announcements made at the federal level.
He identified primary healthcare, basic education, rural roads, safe water, food production, small businesses and opportunities for women and young people as areas in which local governments should deliver tangible results.
Tinubu also recalled his tenure as governor of Lagos State and the creation of 37 Local Council Development Areas, saying the initiative was intended to bring government closer to a rapidly expanding population and increase access to public services.
The President said his administration had maintained since 2023 that sustainable national development could not be driven solely from the centre and must extend to the grassroots.
He also referenced the Supreme Court judgment of July 11, 2024, on local government financial autonomy, describing autonomy as a means of improving service delivery rather than an end in itself.
Tinubu said the judgment placed greater responsibility on council chairmen, elected councillors and local government administrators to ensure resources available to councils produce measurable improvements for residents.
The President urged councils to strengthen planning and adopt evidence-based decision-making, including the use of technology and reliable statistics when identifying priorities and implementing projects.
On security, Tinubu said the Federal Government had continued efforts to strengthen security institutions but maintained that sustainable peace also depended on effective engagement at the community level.
He urged council leaders to work with traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth and women’s organisations, community associations and lawful security agencies to identify and address emerging problems before they escalate.
With preparations towards the 2027 general elections continuing, Tinubu also called on local government leaders to help maintain peaceful conditions in their communities and respect citizens’ right to make their electoral choices freely.
He urged council officials to discourage political violence, intimidation, hate speech and other activities capable of disrupting peaceful participation in the electoral process.
Tinubu further called for stronger collaboration between local governments, the Federal Government and Regional Development Commissions.
According to the President, councils should not operate merely as recipients of federal initiatives but should develop their capacity to participate actively in development planning, coordination and implementation.
He said the Regional Development Commissions could provide additional opportunities for partnerships tailored to the specific development requirements of different parts of the country.
Tinubu urged the 774 council chairmen to ensure their tenures leave measurable improvements in their respective communities.
He also charged participants to use the conference’s two-day deliberations to develop practical conclusions and recommendations for addressing challenges slowing development across local government areas and strengthening cooperation among the different tiers of government.
