President Bola Tinubu has called out state governors over misplaced priorities, urging them to channel resources toward projects that truly impact the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
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President Bola Tinubu has fired a strong warning shot at state governors across Nigeria, telling them in no uncertain terms to stop constructing flyovers in areas where heavy traffic does not justify it — and to redirect their energy toward initiatives that genuinely improve the lives of everyday Nigerians.
The Message Was Clear: Prioritise the People
The President’s message cuts to the heart of a frustration many Nigerians have quietly harboured for years. How many times have we seen a gleaming flyover erected in a town where the biggest traffic jam is caused by a market woman’s wheelbarrow? Meanwhile, the same community lacks a functioning primary health centre, a decent school, or even clean drinking water.
Tinubu’s call is essentially a challenge to Nigeria’s political class: stop building for optics, start building for impact.
Flyovers as Political Showpieces
Let’s be honest — flyovers have long been a favourite tool in the Nigerian politician’s playbook. They are visible, they are photographable, and they make for excellent campaign posters come election season. A governor can point at a flyover and say, “I did that.”
But can he point at reduced maternal mortality rates? Can he show us improved school enrollment figures? Can he tell us how many farmers in his state now have access to affordable fertiliser and market linkages?
These are the questions Tinubu is, in essence, daring governors to answer.
What Nigerians Actually Need
From Maiduguri to Makurdi, from Owerri to Osogbo, the needs of ordinary Nigerians remain largely the same:
– Quality healthcare that doesn’t require travelling to India or the UK
– Good schools where teachers actually show up and textbooks are available
– Affordable food and support for local farmers
– Reliable electricity — because NEPA, sorry, the national grid, is still a national joke
– Security that allows people to go about their daily lives without fear
A flyover in a low-traffic area addresses precisely none of these needs.
A Shift in Accountability
What makes this statement significant is that it is coming from the President himself — signalling that the federal government is watching how states spend their allocations and internally generated revenue. With the increased financial autonomy that states now enjoy following the removal of fuel subsidies and revised revenue-sharing arrangements, the pressure to show value for money has never been higher.
Governors can no longer hide behind federal neglect as an excuse. The resources are there — or should be. The question now is whether the political will to use them wisely exists.
The Ball Is in the Governors’ Court
Nigerians are a resilient people. We hustle, we adapt, and we make a way where there seems to be none. But resilience should not be a substitute for good governance. Our people deserve leaders who see beyond ribbon-cutting ceremonies and think deeply about legacy, livelihood, and long-term development.
President Tinubu’s message to governors is one that ordinary Nigerians have been screaming from the rooftops for decades. Whether those at Government House are truly listening — or will continue to commission flyovers to nowhere — remains to be seen.
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One thing is certain: come the next election cycle, voters will be paying attention. And this time, a flyover photo-op might not be enough to seal the deal.
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