{
  "id": 4329473,
  "title": "Before Pointing at Governors, Abuja Must Lead",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/before-pointing-at-governors-abuja-must-lead",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-30T02:00:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "This Day",
    "slug": "this-day",
    "url": "https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/08/30/before-pointing-at-governors-abuja-must-lead/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "President Bola Tinubu's call for governors to use their increased revenues to improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians is a timely one. However, the federal government must also demonstrate the same level of discipline by focusing on essential infrastructure such as roads, electricity, and security. In a recent meeting with Oyo State traditional rulers, Tinubu emphasized that governors should prioritize the construction of functional road networks that stimulate economic activity and improve access to vulnerable communities, rather than spending resources on vanity projects like flyovers with little practical benefit.\n\nThe Federation Account Allocation Committee recently approved the distribution of N3.007 trillion among federal, state, and local governments from July revenue, a significant increase from the previous month. While this allocation boost offers governors more resources to work with, it should not be a justification for neglecting existing infrastructure issues. Tinubu rightly pointed out that the distribution of funds should be determined by necessity, economic value, and social impact, rather than political prestige. Governors must prioritize rebuilding roads, improving access to healthcare and education, and strengthening security, as these are fundamental to the well-being of their constituents.\n\nThe federal government's infrastructure challenges are not limited to state-held roads. Key highways, such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, are owned by the federal government. While these projects hold long-term promise, they must not distract from urgent maintenance of existing infrastructure. Poor road conditions, unreliable electricity supply, and inadequate healthcare facilities directly impact the daily lives of Nigerians, and the federal government has a responsibility to address these issues promptly.\n\nIn conclusion, President Tinubu's call for governors to use their increased revenues wisely is well-founded. However, the federal government must lead by example, prioritizing immediate improvements in critical infrastructure before pursuing ambitious but uncertain projects. By focusing on tangible benefits for ordinary Nigerians, both federal and state governments can demonstrate genuine commitment to improving the lives of the people they serve.",
  "summary": "President Bola Tinubu’s challenge to governors to deploy rising revenues to projects that directly affect ordinary Nigerians is timely. However, the federal government must demonstrate the same discipline by prioritising",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}