President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has attributed Nigeria’s persistent development and economic challenges to the failure of successive administrations to adopt effective long-term planning strategies.
The President made the remarks on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja while hosting a delegation of Enugu State stakeholders led by Governor Peter Mbah.
Tinubu explained that one of the major setbacks in Nigeria’s development has been the attempt to finance long-term infrastructure projects with short-term resources, a mismatch he said has weakened sustainable growth.
“What has been the problem in the past is that Nigeria has been trying to finance long-term projects with short-term funding. We have not embarked upon a serious long-term outlook for our country,” he said.
Despite the challenges, the President expressed optimism that Nigeria is on a positive trajectory, especially with what he described as visionary leadership emerging at the subnational level. He commended Governor Mbah for transformative governance in Enugu State, citing improvements in security, infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
“The results you have outlined are not abstract. They are evidence that reform is working and that difficult decisions are yielding real outcomes,” Tinubu stated.
He also assured the delegation of continued collaboration between the Federal Government and state governments to accelerate development across the country. According to him, major infrastructure projects, including the Port Harcourt–Enugu rail line and ongoing power sector reforms, will receive sustained attention.
Tinubu emphasized the importance of joint governance efforts across all tiers of government, noting that national progress cannot rest on one level alone.
“It’s not a one-man orchestra. It’s a collective effort at the national, subnational, and local government levels,” he said, urging governors to extend development to local councils for broader impact.
Earlier, Governor Mbah said the visit was to appreciate the Federal Government’s interventions in Enugu State and to reaffirm support for the administration of President Tinubu.
He highlighted key projects such as the concessioning of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, the establishment of the South East Development Commission, and ongoing road and rail developments, including the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway and Enugu–Onitsha road.
Mbah added that insecurity in the state had significantly reduced, while investments in key sectors were improving living standards. He also reaffirmed support from Enugu stakeholders ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The delegation included several political figures such as former Senate President Ken Nnamani, former Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Sullivan Chime, Chief Jim Nwobodo, and Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka.
