President Bola Tinubu has urged Governors to leverage technology investments in driving efficiency across Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas to promote grassroots development. 

The President, who said this while speaking at a meeting with the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, underscored the critical role of technology in improving governance and service delivery at the local government levels, according to a statement from Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Tinubu.

“We are running a constitutional democracy. I will appeal to you to summon the governors. I am doing my very best to enhance the revenue base of the country. They must equally be sympathetic and urgently consider the needs of the local people,” Tinubu said at the meeting. 

Tinubu questioned the effectiveness of the current local government structure, asking, “We have 774 local government areas, but are they truly effective? Do they solve problems for Nigerians? Do they coordinate development programming with the state and federal governments?”

“We are still building Nigeria, and I am glad that you have emphasized the need for development. The infrastructure decay is unacceptable, and the level of poverty in the north is unacceptable. We must eliminate the source of these trends,” the President stated.

Pointing out the potential of technology to transform local governance, President Tinubu said “Everybody wants to be secure, and we need to invest more in technology. We will do it, I promise you. We will put our heart and soul into ensuring that Nigeria is secure and its citizens are protected.” 

He also highlighted several technological initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure and security. These include the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline project and the dredging of the River Niger. These projects are designed to enhance connectivity and reduce travel time, ultimately fostering national prosperity.

Addressing the issue of animal husbandry, Tinubu stressed the importance of technological advancements in agriculture. “Talk to the governors and tell them to make more land available. We are ready to put funds in place to help the herders. If the Brazilians and the Dutch are doing it, we can also do it,” he stated, advocating for modern dairy farming techniques such as precision technology to boost the economy.

The President also announced the formation of a committee, led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, to follow up on the issues raised.

“We must tick the boxes on all that we must quickly do,” the President said.