By Erewunmi Peace

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said that under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, no governor or local government chairman has any excuse to complain about a lack of funds for development.

Sanwo-Olu made this remark during a public lecture in Kaduna on Tuesday, November 12, organized by the Arewa Think Tank. The lecture, themed “65 Years of Nigeria’s Independence: The Journey So Far with the Renewed Hope Agenda in View,” brought together leaders and policymakers from across the country.

According to the governor, federal allocations to states and local governments have significantly increased since President Tinubu assumed office in 2023. He stated that the improved fiscal structure now places the responsibility for progress squarely on the shoulders of subnational governments.

“No governor or local government chairman has any reason to complain of inadequate funding under President Tinubu. The Renewed Hope Agenda has ensured fair distribution of resources, and it is now left for state leaders to deliver,”
— Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said.

Sanwo-Olu added that the administration’s economic reforms, including changes to the value-added tax (VAT) structure and revenue-sharing formula, have contributed to a more robust financial inflow to state governments.

He noted that, compared to the previous administration, allocations to states have reportedly increased by over 60%, while local government revenues have risen by nearly 47%, reflecting Tinubu’s commitment to fiscal federalism and national development.

Reports from The Nation, The Guardian, and Punch Newspapers also confirmed the governor’s remarks, highlighting his call for greater accountability and innovation among state leaders.

The Lagos governor encouraged his colleagues to prioritize infrastructure, education, healthcare, and job creation at the state level, stressing that excuses of underfunding are no longer tenable in the current economic climate.