President Bola Tinubu has urged media leaders to scrutinize state and local governments with the same rigor applied to his administration.
Speaking on Friday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, while receiving media proprietors, executives, and members of the Nigeria Guild of Editors, emphasized that sub-national governments now enjoy greater financial independence under his leadership.
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Tinubu highlighted that local governments receive their allocations directly, stressing that their spending should also be monitored. “Don’t focus solely on me; pay attention to how local governments manage resources,” he advised.
He also noted that no Nigerian state currently borrows to pay salaries, attributing this to reforms introduced by his administration.
Acknowledging media criticism, Tinubu described it as an essential factor driving his performance. He expressed appreciation for their persistent scrutiny, which challenged him intellectually and shaped his leadership approach.
Admitting to reading newspapers daily, he called it an “addiction” and confessed to being somewhat stubborn early in his tenure due to intense media attention.
On policy matters, including the removal of the petrol subsidy in May 2023, the President defended his decisions as necessary steps to prevent economic collapse.
He argued that effective leadership requires timely, sometimes tough, decision-making. “We had to confront the subsidy to avoid pushing Nigeria to the brink of bankruptcy,” he said.
Tinubu also emphasized that critics are not enemies but contributors to national progress, reflecting genuine concern for Nigeria’s welfare.
He accepted full responsibility for his policies, noting that leadership comes with both the assets and liabilities of the decisions made.
Addressing the challenges facing the media, particularly funding and operational costs, he pledged government support to strengthen the sector.
He concluded by calling for collective responsibility among leaders, media, and citizens, insisting that national development is a shared duty.
