President Bola Tinubu has urged state governors to ensure Nigerians feel the benefits of the increased funds available to state governments through the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).
The President gave the charge during a meeting with governors in Lagos on Sunday, according to Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodimma.
Uzodimma said the governors used the meeting to brief Tinubu on developments across the country and the progress of ongoing reforms.
He said the President emphasised the need for governments to ensure that the gains from the reforms translate into better living conditions for citizens.
“We were charged again to ensure that the real benefits, that the real beneficiaries of the reform policy are the people. That the masses must feel the impact. That these policies, the dividends, should be impactful,” Uzodimma said.
The governor noted that increased allocations had improved the ability of many states to meet their financial obligations, including the payment of workers’ salaries.
He said the situation had changed considerably compared with previous years, when some states struggled to meet their monthly wage bills.
Uzodimma also pointed to the impact of reforms such as the introduction of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses, saying lower transportation costs should ultimately benefit commuters.
He called on transport operators to pass the savings from cheaper CNG to passengers by reducing fares.
The governor said the focus was now shifting from implementing economic reforms to ensuring that Nigerians experience their benefits.
“We are not going to only sit here and sing the songs of reform. We are going to make sure that the benefits get to the people,” he said.
FAAC allocations to states have risen significantly in recent years following changes including the removal of petrol subsidies and reforms to the foreign exchange system.
In July 2026, the three tiers of government shared a record N3.007 trillion from Federation Account revenues. States received N943.352 billion, while the Federal Government received N1.146 trillion and local governments received N673.649 billion. (Businessday NG)
The increase in allocations has also intensified calls for state governments to demonstrate how additional revenues are being used to improve infrastructure, healthcare, education, workers’ welfare and other public services.
More recently, the EFCC disclosed that President Tinubu had approved its monitoring of FAAC releases to states and local governments as part of efforts to prevent the diversion of public funds. (Businessday NG)
