President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigerian media organisations to extend their scrutiny beyond the federal government and pay equal attention to the activities of state and local governments across the country.
The president made the appeal while hosting members of the Newspapers Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria, media executives, and representatives of the Nigerian Guild of Editors at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
According to Tinubu, the current administration has strengthened the principle of federalism by granting greater financial autonomy to local governments. He explained that local government councils are now receiving their allocations directly, a development that places greater responsibility on local authorities to manage public funds effectively.
The president therefore urged journalists and media institutions to monitor how these funds are utilized at the grassroots level.
He said the media should not focus solely on the presidency but should also examine the activities of governors and local government officials.
Tinubu also stated that financial reforms implemented by his administration have helped improve the fiscal situation of many states. According to him, no state government is currently borrowing money specifically to pay workers’ salaries, a situation that had previously been common in several states during periods of economic difficulty.
For years, many of Nigeria’s 36 states relied on federal government bailouts and loans to meet wage obligations, particularly when oil revenues dropped and economic conditions worsened.
The president noted that increased revenue allocations to states and local governments have been made possible through improved crude oil production and stronger revenue collection efforts by the Federal Inland Revenue Service, now known as the National Revenue Service.
He also highlighted the impact of a landmark ruling by the Supreme Court of Nigeria in July 2024 which granted fiscal autonomy to local governments, allowing their allocations to be paid directly.
During the meeting, Tinubu thanked media proprietors for their criticism and public scrutiny, describing it as a motivating force that encourages leaders to perform better.
He acknowledged that his administration had faced intense media criticism, particularly during the early period of his presidency, but said such commentary helped stimulate the intellectual discipline required for leadership.
Tinubu also revealed that reading newspapers remains part of his daily routine. According to him, he rarely starts the day without reviewing the headlines from different publications.
The president described his habit of reading newspapers every morning as an addiction, emphasizing the importance of staying informed about national issues and public opinion.
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