President Bola Tinubu has charged chairmen of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas to turn the autonomy granted their councils into tangible improvements in the lives of citizens, warning that their new responsibilities must translate into measurable grassroots development.
Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, gave the charge on Tuesday at the maiden Annual National Conference of the 774 Local Government Council Chairmen, held at the State House, Abuja.
The President said local government autonomy was not an end in itself, but an instrument for delivering better services, placing a huge responsibility on council chairmen, councillors and their management teams to demonstrate results in their communities.
He said Nigerians must begin to see the impact of government in areas such as primary healthcare, basic education, rural roads, access to safe water, food production, small businesses and opportunities for women and young people.
“Local government autonomy is not an end in itself, rather, it is an instrument for service,” Tinubu said.
The President urged the council chairmen to use their knowledge of local challenges to identify gaps in healthcare, agriculture, youth employment and community security, stressing that governance must be driven by evidence, technology and reliable data.
“Your knowledge of where the clinic lacks medicine, where farmers need support, where young people need opportunity and where tension is beginning to rise, will help to deliver these dividends,” he said.
Tinubu said councils must evolve into centres of planning, service delivery, early warning and measurable results, rather than remaining passive recipients of initiatives from the Federal Government.
According to him, the administration’s approach to grassroots development requires councils to take greater responsibility for planning, coordination, implementation and accountability.
The President recalled his experience as Lagos State governor, where his administration established 37 Local Council Development Areas, saying the initiative was driven by the need to bring government closer to citizens and widen access to public services.
He said the experience reinforced his belief that Nigeria’s development could not be achieved from the centre alone.
“Development must take root from the bottom up,” he said.
Tinubu also linked effective grassroots governance to national security, saying lasting peace could only be built community by community.
He urged council chairmen to strengthen engagement with traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth and women’s groups, community associations and lawful security agencies to prevent local grievances from escalating into crises.
The President said security had remained a top priority of his administration, noting that the Federal Government had continued to strengthen, equip and reform the military and train security personnel.
He, however, stressed that local authorities had an important role to play in identifying and addressing tensions before they degenerated into violence.
With Nigeria entering the decisive phase of preparations for the 2027 general elections, Tinubu also tasked the council chairmen with helping to create an environment where citizens could exercise their democratic rights without fear.
While acknowledging the constitutional responsibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the electoral umpire, he said local government leaders had a critical role in maintaining peace within their communities.
“I urge you to discourage divisions and adopt a zero-tolerance policy for thuggery, intimidation, hate speech and violence,” he said.
He also urged the council chairmen to prevent youths from being recruited into violence or drawn into substance abuse during the election period.
“At the community level, I further urge you as leaders to douse tensions, support lawful security coordination and respect the right of citizens to make their choices freely,” Tinubu said.
The President said the Renewed Hope Agenda must become visible at the grassroots, particularly in food security, healthcare, education, infrastructure, employment and local enterprise.
He further urged the councils to work with the newly established Regional Development Commissions to address their peculiar development needs and improve coordination, investment and performance measurement.
Tinubu said history had placed on the 774 council chairmen the responsibility of transforming their respective local government areas into models of development.
“Let your tenure be remembered for the lives, communities and systems improved in each of the 774 Local Government Areas,” he said.
The President urged participants at the three-day conference to produce concrete recommendations capable of addressing challenges hindering local government development and strengthening Nigeria’s federal system.
He declared the maiden Annual National Conference of the 774 Local Government Council Chairmen open.
