Tinubu Urges Media to Strengthen Federalism by Scrutinising States and Local Governments
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on the Nigerian media to play a stronger role in deepening democratic governance by promoting federalism and closely scrutinising the activities of state governments and local government administrations across the country.
The president made the appeal during a meeting with media executives and stakeholders, where he emphasised the critical role of journalism in strengthening accountability and transparency within Nigeria’s federal system. According to him, while national politics often dominates public attention, equal focus should be placed on governance at the state and local government levels.
Tinubu noted that the success of Nigeria’s democratic system depends not only on the performance of the federal government but also on the effectiveness of state and local administrations. He stressed that journalists and media institutions have a responsibility to ensure that public officials at every level of government remain accountable to the people.
The president explained that strong federalism requires active civic participation, access to reliable information and continuous oversight by independent institutions, including the press. By investigating public spending, monitoring policy implementation and highlighting governance challenges, the media can contribute significantly to improving the quality of leadership across the country.
Tinubu also encouraged journalists to maintain professional standards in their reporting while remaining courageous in holding leaders accountable. He said credible journalism plays a vital role in shaping public discourse and ensuring that democratic institutions function properly.
Observers say the president’s remarks reflect growing calls for increased attention to governance at sub-national levels, particularly as many development projects and public services are implemented by state governments and local authorities. Analysts argue that stronger media oversight could help improve transparency in areas such as budget management, infrastructure development and social programmes.
Media stakeholders present at the meeting acknowledged the importance of the president’s message and reaffirmed their commitment to responsible journalism. They noted that investigative reporting and balanced coverage remain essential tools for strengthening democracy and promoting good governance.
As Nigeria continues to navigate political, economic and social challenges, analysts believe that collaboration between democratic institutions, civil society and the media will remain crucial in advancing accountability and ensuring that governance delivers meaningful benefits to citizens.
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