President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigerian media organisations to intensify scrutiny of state governments and local councils, stressing that accountability must extend beyond the federal level as fiscal reforms expand financial autonomy for sub-national authorities.
The President made the appeal during a meeting with media proprietors and executives at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja, where he hosted industry leaders for the final Iftar gathering of the 2026 Ramadan season.
The engagement provided an opportunity for the administration to reflect on its economic policies while encouraging the media to strengthen oversight across all tiers of government.
Hold states, LGs accountable, Tinubu tells media executives
The statement that “hold states, LGs accountable, Tinubu tells media executives” highlights the President’s call for balanced scrutiny in Nigeria’s democratic governance structure.
According to Tinubu, the principle of federalism has been expanded under his administration, particularly following reforms that increased financial allocations to states and local governments. As a result, he argued that media attention should not focus exclusively on the Federal Government but also on how sub-national authorities utilise their resources.
“We’ve opened up the principle of federalism to the extent that local governments are now getting their money. But how they use it is in your hand, so don’t bombard me alone,” the President told the gathering.
Tinubu stressed that journalists and media organisations play a crucial role in monitoring governance across all levels of government, especially in ensuring transparency and accountability in public spending.
Fiscal autonomy for local governments
The President’s remarks come against the backdrop of significant fiscal reforms, including a landmark decision by the Supreme Court of Nigeria that granted financial autonomy to local governments.
The ruling mandated direct payment of federal allocations to local government councils, ending a long-standing system where funds were channelled through state governments. Analysts say the decision represents a major step toward strengthening grassroots governance and improving service delivery at the local level.
Tinubu noted that with the increased financial independence now enjoyed by local governments, it becomes essential for the media to monitor how these funds are managed.
“Look at local government too, and equally, the sub-national,” he said, urging editors and media executives to broaden investigative coverage.
States no longer borrowing for salaries
During the meeting, the President also revealed that none of Nigeria’s 36 states is currently borrowing funds to pay workers’ salaries, a development he attributed to economic reforms implemented by his administration.
Historically, many state governments relied heavily on federal bailouts or commercial loans to meet salary obligations, particularly during periods of declining oil revenues and fiscal constraints.
Tinubu said improvements in revenue generation and increased federal allocations had helped stabilise state finances.
“Today, there is no state that is borrowing to pay salaries of employees,” the President said. “Yes, we can complain it’s not enough. We can complain we are not where we should be, but we have to manage what we have to sustain today, survive tomorrow, and make progress.”
Media criticism as motivation
Reflecting on his administration’s early days, Tinubu acknowledged that intense criticism from newspapers and opinion leaders initially placed pressure on his government.
However, he said the criticism ultimately motivated him to remain focused on delivering results.
“Thank you for inspiring me and challenging me in critical moments of my life,” he told the media executives.
“If I look at various barrages of negative comments as opposed to positive aspects of the assignment, I shouldn’t be here standing. That is the truth. You didn’t spare me, but you challenged me.”
The President also revealed that he reads newspapers daily, describing the habit as an “addiction.”
“There is no morning that I ever leave my house without going through the newspapers,” he said. “I read all of you, might not be in full detail, but the headline—the one that hits me.”
Defending tough economic decisions
Tinubu used the occasion to defend some of the difficult policy decisions taken since he assumed office in 2023, particularly the removal of fuel subsidies.
The subsidy removal policy triggered widespread public debate and economic adjustments, including rising fuel prices and inflation.
However, the President argued that the policy was necessary to prevent economic collapse.
“The problem is leadership with responsibility of taking decisions at the time it was to be done,” he said. “Otherwise, it’s a failure. At the time, we had to confront the subsidy. Nigeria was cheating on the edge of bankruptcy.”
According to Tinubu, the reforms have helped stabilise key economic indicators, including improvements in foreign exchange management and gradual efforts to control inflation.
Economic challenges and global pressures
The President also acknowledged the difficult operating environment facing media organisations, noting that the industry is not insulated from global economic pressures.
He pointed out that geopolitical developments, particularly conflicts in regions such as the Middle East, can affect global energy markets and economic conditions that ultimately influence Nigeria.
“What is happening in the Middle East or anywhere else will affect us,” he said.
Tinubu added that discussions were held earlier in the day on tariffs affecting the media sector, promising to revisit the issue if necessary.
Call for collective responsibility
As he concluded his remarks, the President emphasised the importance of collective responsibility in building a stronger nation.
He commended media organisations for their resilience and innovation despite economic difficulties and reiterated his commitment to national development.
“I promise you that this job I will continue to do with dedication, patriotic dedication, to improve Nigeria,” Tinubu said.
“It is all in our hands. It’s a collective responsibility—you, myself, and those people that we assign.”
Industry observers say the President’s call for balanced media scrutiny underscores the growing importance of accountability across all tiers of government as Nigeria continues to implement fiscal and governance reforms.
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