Tinubu Links Nigeria’s Insecurity to Collapse of Grassroots Governance.

Tinubu Links Nigeria’s Insecurity to Collapse of Grassroots Governance.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that the weakening of grassroots governance over the years contributed significantly to the rising insecurity and developmental challenges facing Nigeria, stressing that effective local government administration remains vital to national growth and stability.

The president made the remarks on Thursday during his nationwide address to commemorate the 2026 Democracy Day celebration, where he reflected on the country’s democratic journey and outlined his administration’s efforts to strengthen governance at the local level.

Tinubu stated that his government had prioritised financial autonomy for Nigeria’s 774 local government councils to ensure that democracy delivers meaningful impact to citizens at the grassroots.

According to him, democracy loses its true essence when ordinary citizens cannot feel the benefits of governance in their daily lives.

“Recognising that democracy is undermined when people do not feel its impact, my administration has sought financial autonomy for our 774 local councils,” the president said.

He noted that one of the major obstacles to Nigeria’s progress has been the failure of local government administration, which he said created gaps in security, service delivery and community development across many parts of the country.

“A fundamental challenge to our nation’s advancement has been ineffective local government administration. The insecurity we are addressing is partly due to the collapse of grassroots governance,” Tinubu stated.

The president maintained that restoring the effectiveness of local councils would help improve security coordination, accelerate rural development and bring government closer to the people.

Tinubu further explained that the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration was designed to create opportunities for all Nigerians regardless of ethnicity, religion, geographical location or social status.

He called on citizens to remain hopeful and united despite the country’s economic and security challenges, saying national prosperity can only be achieved through collective effort and shared responsibility.

“The generation of our founding fathers secured independence. The generation of June 12 secured democracy. Our generation must secure prosperity,” he declared.

The president also urged Nigerians to reject division, pessimism and hopelessness, while embracing unity and confidence in the nation’s future.

“Let us move forward together, rejecting division, cynicism and despair; embracing unity, hope and confidence,” Tinubu said.

“Let us build a Nigeria united by a common purpose, strengthened by diversity, where justice is accessible, liberty is secure and opportunity is abundant.”

Tinubu’s Democracy Day speech comes amid renewed national conversations on local government autonomy, insecurity and the need for deeper democratic reforms aimed at improving governance and accountability at all levels.