Tinubu media scrutiny states local governments call as president urges journalists to hold subnational governments accountable for public funds

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged Nigerian media executives to extend the same level of scrutiny they apply to the Federal Government to state and local governments, which he said now enjoy greater financial autonomy.

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The president made the call on Friday night while hosting media proprietors and executives at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Tinubu said reforms implemented by his administration had strengthened the principle of federalism by ensuring that local governments receive their allocations directly.

“We’ve opened up the principle of federalism to the extent that local governments are now getting their money. But how they use it is in your hand, so don’t bombard me alone.

“Look at local government too, and equally, the sub-national,” the president said.

He also stated that no state government in the country was currently borrowing money to pay workers’ salaries, attributing the improvement to economic reforms introduced by his administration.

“Today, there is no state that is borrowing to pay salaries of employees. Yes, we can complain it’s not enough. We can complain we are not where we should be, but we have to manage what we have to sustain today, survive tomorrow, and make progress,” Tinubu said.

Many of Nigeria’s 36 states had previously relied on federal bailouts and loans to meet salary obligations, particularly during periods of declining oil revenue and economic downturns.

According to the administration, allocations to states and local governments have increased through improved revenue collection by the Federal Inland Revenue Service, now renamed the National Revenue Service, higher crude oil production and direct payments to local governments following a landmark ruling by the Supreme Court of Nigeria in July 2024 granting fiscal autonomy to councils.

Tinubu thanked media owners for their criticisms, saying they pushed him to perform better, especially during the early days of his administration.

“Thank you for inspiring me and challenging me in critical moments of my life. You didn’t spare me, but you challenged me,” he said.

The president also revealed that he reads newspapers every morning, describing the habit as an “addiction.”

“There is no morning that I ever leave my house without going through the newspapers. It’s an addiction,” he said.

Tinubu defended key policy decisions taken by his government, particularly the removal of petrol subsidy shortly after assuming office in May 2023, stating that the move was necessary to prevent economic collapse.

“We had to confront the subsidy. Nigeria was cheating on the edge of bankruptcy. But having asked for the job and getting it, I couldn’t look back other than make corrections as I move along, save the nation and bring it back from the brink,” he said.

He maintained that Nigeria had since stabilised its economy, citing improvements in foreign exchange management and efforts to curb inflation.

The president also dismissed the idea of labelling critics as enemies, noting that constructive criticism contributes to national development.

“I don’t categorise anybody as arch-critical. I see them as simulators who can build a nation. We all want good for this country,” Tinubu said.

Acknowledging the economic challenges facing media organisations, the president said he was aware of the difficulties associated with funding and sustaining operations in the current global economic climate.

He added that issues surrounding tariffs affecting the media industry were discussed earlier in the day and promised to take necessary action where required.

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Friday’s meeting, held as part of the final Iftar gathering for the 2026 Ramadan season, brought together media executives from print, broadcast and digital platforms across the country.