By Headlinenews.news Editorial Board.
Date: July 27, 2025
Location: Lagos, Nigeria
In what is widely seen as an unprecedented development in Nigeria’s political history, the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government has begun reaping the dividends of its aggressive reforms aimed at revitalizing local governance. For the first time since the nation’s return to democracy in 1999, local government councils across the country are now recording tangible results—delivering critical infrastructure and services that touch the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
This marks a critical shift from years of administrative stagnation, as local government councils—long seen as dormant and underfunded—are now constructing hospitals, modern schools, solar power grids, and health centres in their communities. The new wave of development is the direct outcome of policy reforms introduced under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, targeting fiscal accountability, decentralization, and grassroots empowerment.
LAGOS: MODEL LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROJECTS LEAD THE WAY
In Ikoyi-Obalende Local Government Area, the council recently commissioned a modern community hospital and solar power grid to serve residents who previously relied on overstretched facilities. The initiative, led by the council chairman, is part of a broader effort to improve public health access and reduce energy poverty at the grassroots.
Meanwhile, Bariga Local Government, under its proactive leadership, just unveiled a new state-of-the-art public school, commissioned by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu last week. The project reflects the APC’s commitment to improving education infrastructure and delivering on its promise of universal access to quality education.
“The era of idle local councils is over. We are bringing governance to the streets, not just the headlines,” said Mr. Sanyaolu Ayodele, Chairman of Bariga LGA. “President Tinubu has created the environment that makes this level of intervention possible.”
FROM MARGINALIZATION TO EMPOWERMENT
Historically, local governments in Nigeria were plagued by systemic underfunding, state interference, and poor capacity, rendering them ineffective in delivering basic amenities. Before now, only a fraction of Nigeria’s 774 local councils could show evidence of functioning schools, clinics, or infrastructure. Many were used as conduits for political patronage with no accountability to the people.
However, the APC administration, under Tinubu’s leadership, introduced reforms mandating:
Direct allocation of funds to local governments from the Federation Account
Digital tracking of expenditure and publication of council projects
Establishment of a Presidential Community Engagement Unit to monitor compliance
Partnership with donor agencies to co-finance rural development
THE DATA: EARLY GAINS FROM REFORMS
N51 billion disbursed to local governments directly in Q2 2025
302 health centres and clinics commissioned nationwide since January 2024
Over 600 solar microgrids deployed to rural and underserved communities
75 public schools constructed or renovated in partnership with UBEC and state agencies
Engagement with 36 state governors to establish accountability frameworks
“We are finally seeing a real federal structure where local governments matter,” said Dr. G. Fraser, MFR, Founder of the National Patriots. “This is how you build a nation—bottom-up, not top-down.”
QUOTES FROM KEY STAKEHOLDERS
“The local government system is closest to the people. It must be active, visible, and productive. That’s what we are now enforcing across Nigeria.”
— President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR
“These community-level projects are the foundation for inclusive development. Without them, the federal gains mean nothing to the man in the village.”
— Hon. Garba Datti, Chairman, House Committee on Local Government Affairs
“The next phase is monitoring. Every LGA must show results. There’s no more hiding place for non-performing councils.”
— Amina Mohammed, Senior Presidential Aide on Community Engagement
LOOKING FORWARD: A NATIONAL CALL TO ACTION
While Lagos has set a commendable example, the real challenge is ensuring these results are replicated across Nigeria—from Sokoto to Yenagoa, Maiduguri to Enugu. The Presidency is now being urged to mobilize its Community Engagement Officers nationwide to verify, track, and report ongoing local government projects in real-time.
“We need to see such hospitals and schools in every LGA,” remarked Ngozi Nwachukwu, civil society analyst. “This is the only way to make democracy meaningful.”
GRASSROOTS DEMOCRACY FINALLY IN MOTION
For decades, Nigerians have spoken of the “dividends of democracy” in abstract terms. Today, thanks to renewed focus on local governance under the APC administration, these dividends are now brick-and-mortar realities—schools, clinics, energy grids, and clean water points—transforming lives at the community level.
If sustained, this movement could become the defining legacy of President Tinubu’s administration: the president who made local governments work again.
“When local governments begin to build hospitals and schools with integrity and vision, you are no longer witnessing politics—you are witnessing real nation-building. President Tinubu’s reforms have empowered the most critical tier of government to finally serve the people it was created for. This is how great nations are built: one community at a time.”
— Dr. G. Fraser, MFR, Governance Consultant & Founder, The National Patriots
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GRASSROOTS GOVERNANCE IN ACTION: TINUBU’S REFORMS IGNITE LOCAL GOVERNMENT DEVELOPMENT
Under President Bola Tinubu’s reform-driven APC administration, local governments across Nigeria are now delivering unprecedented projects at the grassroots. From modern hospitals and solar grids in Ikoyi-Obalende to a state-of-the-art school in Bariga commissioned by Governor Sanwo-Olu, a new era of community-focused governance is emerging.
Historically sidelined, LGAs are now empowered through direct funding, digital transparency, and federal oversight—reforms initiated to ensure development reaches the people.
“This is no longer politics—it’s real nation-building. Local governments are finally delivering. That’s how you build a great nation,” said Dr. G. Fraser, MFR, Founder of the National Patriots.
President Tinubu’s policy of decentralizing service delivery is beginning to show visible results. Stakeholders now urge the Presidency to scale up this model nationwide.
From top-down control to bottom-up impact—governance is finally touching the streets.
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#TinubuReforms #GrassrootsGovernance #LGAImpact #NigeriaRising
