NANS urges Tinubu to release withheld Osun LG funds

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Southwest Zone D has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the ongoing withholding of statutory allocations for Osun State's 30 local government areas. The appeal comes following the August 15, 2026, governorship election, which saw Governor Ademola Adeleke secure re-election.

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We believe this presents an opportunity for a new chapter.

NANS highlighted that political differences should now yield to governance and development, urging the President to extend the democratic spirit shown during the election to resolve the issue of local government funds. Public records indicate that over ₦200 billion in statutory allocations had been withheld by mid-2026, with further monthly accruals expected.

The student body emphasized that this is not merely a political dispute, as local governments are the closest tier of government to students' campuses and host communities. Their financial capacity directly influences vital services such as roads, sanitation, healthcare, water supply, security, and youth development, all of which students rely on.

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For us as students, this is not merely a political or administrative dispute. Local governments are the closest tier of government to our campuses and host communities, and their financial capacity directly affects roads, sanitation, healthcare, water supply, security, youth development and other services upon which students also depend.

NANS Southwest urged President Tinubu to direct relevant federal institutions to resolve any legal or administrative impediments and ensure the funds reach the constitutionally recognized local governments transparently. They also called on the local governments to ensure the released funds translate into visible development, particularly in areas hosting tertiary institutions, framing the release as a victory for constitutional governance and the people of Osun State.

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Mr President, the people have spoken through the ballot. We respectfully appeal that the Constitution and the principles of grassroots democracy should also be allowed to prevail. Let politics give way to governance. Let the funds reach the people.