Since states and local governments now have more financial autonomy thanks to President Bola Tinubu's reformed federalism, he has urged media executives to give them the same level of scrutiny they apply to his administration. While entertaining media executives and owners at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday evening, the President made the plea. The concept of federalism has been expanded to the point where local governments are now receiving funding. However, you have control over how they utilize it, so don't just overwhelm me.
Tinubu said, "Look at local government too, and equally, the sub-national."
He said that no state in the nation was now taking out loans to cover employee salaries, crediting his administration's reforms for the change.
"As of right now, no state borrows money to cover staff salaries. Yes, we can protest that it is insufficient.
The President stated, "We can complain that we are not where we should be, but we have to manage what we have to sustain today, survive tomorrow, and make progress."
In the past, the 36 states had trouble paying salaries; many of them turned to federal bailouts and loans to fulfill their wage responsibilities, especially during times of low oil revenue and economic downturns.
Following a July 2024 Supreme Court ruling granting fiscal autonomy, the Tinubu administration claimed to have increased allocations to states and local governments through increased crude oil production, better revenue collection by the Federal Inland Revenue Service, now known as the National Revenue Service, and direct payment of local government allocations.
Despite the tough criticism during his early days in office, Tinubu complimented media owners for their unrelenting criticism, which he claimed challenged him to perform better.
"Thank you for motivating me and pushing me during pivotal times in my life.
"I shouldn't be standing here if I see so many disparaging remarks instead of the positive features of the project. That's the reality.
He said, "You didn't spare me, but you challenged me, provoked that intellectual curiosity of a leader that must perform."
"I never leave my house in the morning without reading the newspapers. It's an addiction. He revealed, "I read all of you, maybe not in full detail, but the headline hit me."
Tinubu admitted that the onslaught of criticism from publications and opinion leaders at the start of his administration made him "a little stubborn."
He said, "I was just a little stubborn at the beginning of this administration because the hit was on from the papers and from various opinion leaders in this country."
He did, however, defend his decision-making process, especially the elimination of the gasoline subsidy, which was widely criticized when it was put into effect in May 2023.
"Leadership with responsibility for making decisions at the appropriate time is the problem," the president stated. If not, it's a failure. We had to deal with the subsidy at the time. Nigeria was on the verge of becoming bankrupt.
"But after asking for the job and getting it, I couldn't look back other than make corrections as I move forward, save the nation, and bring it back from the brink."
Citing advancements in foreign exchange management and inflation control, the President maintained that the nation had been saved from economic catastrophe.
"I can confidently stand in front of you today because we have recovered from that precipice. He questioned, "Can you imagine a country with galloping exchange rates and galloping inflation where the airline was the only source for ticket reimbursement?"
Tinubu rejected the idea of classifying critics as adversaries, seeing them as contributors to the development of the country.
"I don't classify anyone as arch-critical," he said. They can create a nation, in my opinion, by acting as simulators.
"Everyone wants the best for this nation. That is undeniable. They therefore want the goodness of the nation, regardless of how critical or extreme a perspective may be.
The President acknowledged that he wanted the mandate and must produce results, and he took full responsibility for the results of his initiatives.
Tinubu also stated that media organizations face a difficult operating environment, especially when it comes to funding sources during hard economic times.
"I am aware of your difficulties. It's really difficult out there. In a time of difficulties, it is nearly impossible to find and use finances, and you have witnessed firsthand that none of us are immune as members of our global society.
"We will be impacted by events in the Middle East or anywhere else." It will undoubtedly have an impact on us," he stated.
The President said that discussions about tariffs on the media sector took place on Friday afternoon, but he pledged to address the issue as it pertained to the media.
This afternoon, the topic of tariffs was discussed. Whether or whether I took action in the region that affected you is something I can't report back here, but if I didn't, I'll go back and make amends," he said.
Tinubu promised to continue his patriotic commitment to bettering Nigeria and praised media owners for their ideas throughout difficult times.
"I promise you that I'll continue to do this job with dedication, patriotic dedication, to improve Nigeria," he declared. We have complete control over it. You, I, and the individuals we designate share this obligation.
Media professionals from print, radio, television, and electronic media attended Friday's Iftar, the final one of the 2026 Ramadan season.