By Erewunmi Peace

Former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Prof. Usman Yusuf, has said that state governors are responsible for the bulk of Nigeria’s governance failures, stressing that they contribute significantly to the nation’s current challenges.

Speaking during a televised interview on Monday, Yusuf argued that while the federal government often receives most of the blame for Nigeria’s problems, the governors, who control the grassroots, are more culpable.

“Eighty percent of Nigeria’s problems are caused by state governors,” he declared. “They have failed to deliver quality education, healthcare, infrastructure, and security at the state level. Instead, they are more concerned with personal enrichment and political games.”

The ex-NHIS boss noted that governors receive enormous monthly allocations from the federation account but often fail to translate these funds into meaningful development. He accused many of them of running their states like personal estates, with little accountability to the people.

“Most of our governors don’t even hold local government elections. They appoint caretaker committees who answer only to them, not the people. The result is weak institutions, no development at the grassroots, and widespread poverty,” Yusuf added.

He further lamented that Nigeria’s political system gives governors overwhelming influence, allowing them to dominate party structures, manipulate legislatures, and stifle dissenting voices. According to him, this concentration of power makes it difficult for democracy to thrive at the state level.