President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday charged the governors of Nigeria’s 36 states to lead grassroots development, saying the financial autonomy granted to local governments was not an attempt to snatch the third tier of government from governors.

Tinubu said the governors’ leadership at the subnational level was central to achieving food security, economic prosperity and rapid national growth.

A statement by presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said Tinubu made the remarks when members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), led by its Chairman, Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazak, paid him a New Year homage at his Ikoyi-Lagos residence.

The President stressed the importance of grassroots development and dispelled rumours of disagreement with the governors.

“We will not fight within us. I will drive the change. You control your local governments. You can restore hope by effectively fulfilling what the people expect at the grassroots level,” Tinubu said.

“There were gossips that we had disagreements on local government autonomy. No. Just drive development at the local government. Nobody wants to take them away from you, but we need collaboration. Let’s do it together and ensure Nigeria is better off for it,” he said.

Tinubu called for stronger collaboration between the federal and state governments to address pressing challenges, including local government autonomy, agricultural productivity, and currency stability.

He urged governors to prioritise agricultural growth as a pathway to economic stability.

“You are the most important link to Nigeria’s prosperity and development. The Federal Government accounts for about 30 to 35 per cent of the allocated revenue; the rest comes to you. The agricultural value chain depends on you. You own the land, and the job is in your hands,” Tinubu said.

“We have to work harder, grow more, and ensure the situation of our currency improves. Nigeria will see prosperity, but it requires consistent effort from all of us,” he said.

Responding, Kwara State Governor Abdulrazaq assured President Tinubu of the governors’ support.

“I must confess that I have not done two years in this administration, but I’ve done more projects in two years than in the four years of my first term,” Governor Abdulrazaq said.

“We are getting more funding due to the restructuring of the economy. Yes, there is inflation, but we are overriding it,” he said.