A delegation of former state governors who served between 1999 and 2007 has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to pivot from temporary palliative interventions toward long-term solutions for Nigeria’s economic and social challenges.
Their key recommendation: the establishment of cottage industries in all 774 local government areas to address rising unemployment, rural poverty, and insecurity.
The former governors—members of the 1999 Class—made this appeal during a courtesy visit to President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday. The group was led by Chief Lucky Igbinedion, former governor of Edo State, who spoke on behalf of the delegation after a closed-door meeting with the President.
Other prominent members of the delegation included former governors James Ibori (Delta), Niyi Adebayo (Ekiti), Adamu Muazu (Bauchi), Joshua Dariye (Plateau), Victor Attah (Akwa Ibom), Adamu Aliero (Kebbi), Sam Egwu (Ebonyi), Jolly Nyame (Taraba), Boni Haruna (Adamawa), Saminu Turaki (Jigawa), Donald Duke (Cross River), and George Akume (Benue), the current Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Chief Igbinedion explained that the visit was both a personal reunion and a platform to discuss pressing national issues.
“We came to see one of our own from the Class of ’99, who is now the President, and to raise critical matters affecting the nation,” he said. “We spoke extensively about the security situation, the economy, and the urgent need to refocus on agriculture and industrialisation.”
Igbinedion stressed that Nigeria must look beyond short-term relief packages and invest in mechanisms that foster long-term economic independence. “Palliatives are only temporary,” he said. “If you give someone ₦5,000 today, what happens by lunchtime? What will he eat tomorrow? That’s not sustainable.”
Instead, he proposed the establishment of small-scale, labour-intensive industries—particularly in agriculture and manufacturing—that can serve as engines of local economic growth and employment.
“We appealed to Mr. President to consider the creation of cottage industries across all local government areas in Nigeria. These will not only create jobs but also revitalize rural economies,” he explained.
He cited examples of agro-processing units and micro-manufacturing ventures as models that can provide steady incomes, reduce rural-to-urban migration, and empower communities to become economically self-reliant.
Beyond the economy, the delegation also raised concerns about national security, emphasizing that no meaningful development can occur in an atmosphere of instability. “We told the President clearly: without security, there can be no progress,” Igbinedion said.
According to him, President Tinubu received their suggestions with keen interest and expressed appreciation for their visit and insights. “He showed deep concern and welcomed our proposals. He assured us that his doors remain open to further dialogue and constructive engagement,” Igbinedion noted.
Amid increasing public frustration, the federal government’s reliance on palliatives such as cash transfers and food supplies is drawing sharp criticism. Many observers argue that these short-term relief efforts fail to tackle the underlying issues of poverty and economic distress—particularly in rural communities where the hardship is most deeply felt.
The call from the former governors adds to the growing demand for more structural and sustainable responses to the nation’s economic woes. Their recommendations reflect a shift in thinking among political stakeholders toward practical, community-based solutions to unemployment, hunger, and insecurity.