Tinubu tells governors: Build roads, not white-elephant projects

President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerian state governors to shift their focus from constructing flyovers and "white-elephant" projects to prioritizing essential infrastructure such as roads. He argued that improved connectivity is crucial for enhancing security, unlocking economic opportunities, and improving citizens' quality of life.

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You should help us communicate to these governors. If you had this money during your own time or during my time, it would have been different. 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 made these remarks while receiving traditional rulers from Oyo State in Abuja. He noted that recent fiscal reforms have significantly increased states' revenues, urging governors to invest these funds in projects with tangible public benefits rather than expensive prestige schemes. He emphasized that extending roads into underserved areas would stimulate economic activity and enable faster responses from security agencies during emergencies.

"The money going to the states today is four to five times what they used to receive," Tinubu stated, urging governors to utilize the increased revenue more effectively. "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."

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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 linked strategic infrastructure development to the nation's intensified efforts to combat terrorism, banditry, and other violent crimes. He also detailed his administration's security reforms, including plans to expand the Nigerian Army, establish state police with constitutional safeguards, and strengthen the Forest Guard. "We refused to pay ransom. We have the geography of the forest, and in answer to it, we are moving from eight divisions to 12 to shorten response times and give our forces the teeth needed to defeat terrorism and banditry," he said, adding that some abductors are non-Nigerians.

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We refused to pay ransom. We have the geography of the forest, and in answer to it, we are moving from eight divisions to 12 to shorten response times and give our forces the teeth needed to defeat terrorism and banditry.