By Ade Iyamoye 

Nigeria’s economic hardship has increasingly been laid at the doorstep of President Bola Tinubu. While the pain Nigerians are experiencing is real and undeniable, blaming the President alone ignores a critical fact: Nigeria operates a federal system, and much of what affects citizens daily falls squarely within the powers and responsibilities of state governors.

A factual and balanced assessment shows that Nigeria’s crisis is as much a subnational governance failure as it is a federal challenge.

Nigeria’s Federal Structure: Shared Responsibility, Not Sole Authority

Under the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Nigeria runs a federal system where powers, resources and responsibilities are shared among the federal, state and local governments.

Key areas that directly affect citizens’ welfare, such as:

-Primary and secondary education

-Primary healthcare

-Agriculture and food production

-Local roads and markets

-Rural security and policing support

are largely under the control of state and local governments, not the Presidency.

There are 36 governors and the FCT Minister, each with significant autonomy, budgets and executive powers. It is therefore inaccurate to attribute nationwide underperformance solely to one individual at the centre.

Governors Control Massive Resources

Statistically, Nigerian states are not poor on paper.

-Between FAAC allocations and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), states collectively receive trillions of naira annually.

–Many states receive over ₦5-10 billion monthly from the Federation Account.

–In addition, states benefit from:

*Budget support facilities

*World Bank and donor-funded programmes

*Security votes running into hundreds of millions monthly

Yet, despite these inflows:

–Civil servants are owed salaries and pensions in some states

–Public schools and hospitals remain dilapidated

–Rural infrastructure is largely absent

This raises a fundamental question: Where is the money going?

Food Inflation: A Governor-Level Failure

One of the biggest drivers of Nigeria’s current hardship is food inflation. But agriculture is constitutionally a residual matter, meaning states have wide latitude to act.

Governors:

–Control vast arable land

–Can establish ranches, farm estates and storage facilities

–Can invest in irrigation, extension services and agro-processing

Yet, many states:

–Depend almost entirely on food transported from a few regions

–Fail to secure farmlands against banditry

–Allocate little of their budgets to agriculture despite its strategic importance

Blaming Tinubu for high food prices while governors leave fertile land idle is economically dishonest.

Security: States Are Not Helpless

While the federal government controls the armed forces, state governments play a decisive role in internal security.

Governors:

–Are Chief Security Officers of their states

–Fund logistics for police and security agencies

–Establish and support outfits like Amotekun, Ebube Agu and local vigilantes

–Control land-use decisions that affect conflict dynamics

In several states, insecurity persists not because Abuja has done nothing, but because:

–Local intelligence is weak

–Security votes lack transparency

–Political will is absent

Security failures cannot be blamed on the President alone when governors sit at the centre of local coordination.

Education and Healthcare: Governors’ Direct Mandate

Public outrage over failing schools and hospitals often targets the federal government, yet:

-Primary healthcare centres are owned and funded by local and state governments

-Basic education is a state responsibility, with UBEC funds often left unaccessed due to counterpart funding failures

Reports have repeatedly shown that billions of naira in UBEC funds remain unutilised because states fail to meet basic requirements.

It is misleading to accuse the President of neglecting education when governors fail to access funds already allocated to them.

Tinubu’s Policies vs. Governors’ Implementation

President Tinubu’s administration has implemented controversial but structural reforms, including:

-Removal of fuel subsidy

-Exchange rate unification

-Fiscal tightening

These policies are painful, but they are macro-level decisions aimed at long-term stability.

What has been largely missing is state-level cushioning:

-Few governors have introduced effective transport subsidies

-Very few states have rolled out large-scale food intervention programmes

-Social safety nets at subnational level are weak or non-existent

Governors cannot support harsh federal reforms rhetorically while failing to mitigate their local impact.

The Political Convenience of Blaming Abuja

Blaming the President has become politically convenient.

Governors:

-Attend FAAC meetings monthly

-Approve state budgets annually

-Control local governments

-Exercise near-total influence within their states

Yet, when hardship bites, they point fingers at Abuja, shielding themselves from accountability.

This culture weakens federalism and robs citizens of the right to demand performance from their closest leaders.

Conclusion

Nigeria’s problems are complex and multi-layered. President Tinubu should be scrutinised, but he should not be scapegoated for failures rooted in poor subnational governance.

If Governors:

-Invest in agriculture

-Improve security coordination

-Prudently manage resources

-Strengthen education and healthcare

-Deploy targeted social interventions the impact of federal economic reforms would be significantly reduced.

In a federation, no single man can ruin or rescue, a nation alone.

If Nigeria must work, governors must work too.

By Bridget Tikyaa 

The Tiv people are one of Nigeria’s largest ethnic groups. They are mainly located in Benue State, with a noticeable presence in Taraba and Nasarawa states. With an estimated population of over 6.5 million, the Tiv people have very strong presence in Tarkaa, Makurdi, Gwer East, Gwer West, Ukum, Logo, Konshisha, Gboko, Kwande, Vandeikya, Katsina Ala, Guma, Buruku, and Ushongo Local Government Areas of Benue State. So also in

Bali, Donga, Ibi, Gassol, Takum, Gashaka, Kurmi, and Wukari Local Government Areas of Taraba State, and in Doma, Lafia, Obi, Keana, and Awe Local Government Areas, Nasarawa State. There are also about 20,000 of them in Manyu Division in the Republic of Cameroon.

So, when on December 13, 2025, the Tiv nation decided to converge on Gboko to role out the drums in celebration of their culture and tradition, it was to highlight the identity of a people who have been making solid contributions to the growth and development of not just their communities and states, but Nigeria and the global community as a whole.

Invariably, the 2025 Tiv Day celebration, which actually began in 1977, was a decisive attempt to revive the Tiv nation, engineer unity and cohesion, and bring out the best of its sons and daughters, tradition and customs.

The Tiv Day is a vibrant celebration typically marked with traditional dances, music, and performances, family and friends get-together to strengthen bonds and share experiences while savouring traditional

cuisine. It is also a time for the display of traditional attire, artefacts, and crafts.

There are also speeches and reflections from leaders who share insights on Tiv history, culture, and contributions. This was what the paramount leader of the Tiv people did.

The Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty, Professor James Ortese Ayatse, highlighted the significance of the celebration in his speech at the opening of the grand ceremony, which apart from the cultural displays, is meant to ensure cultural reforms, empowering women, eliminating practices that hinder progress, promoting development of the Tiv language, and supporting youth education through initiatives such as the Tiv Scholarship Trust Fund, “Ayatutu Ka Se” Foundation, and “Kasev Tiv Bam”.

For all Tiv sons and daughters, it was an opportunity to shine, waltz, and merry. Embrace unity, heal political and social divisions, and work collectively for the future of the Tiv nation.

The event didn’t stop at the dance steps, traditions and cultural displays, it was also an opportunity to publicly honour outstanding Tiv sons, daughters and friends within and outside Nigeria, who have set examples worthy of emulation. These were people recognised by the Tiv Area Traditional Council and conferred with chieftaincy titles. Distinguished Tiv sons, daughters, and friends in recognition of their contributions to the Tiv Nation and Nigeria.

Among those honoured were Governor Hyacinth Alia (Asôrtar-u-Tiv), APC National Chairman, Engr. Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwada (Zegebar-u-Tiv), and former Benue State Governor, Senator Dr. Gabriel Torwua Suswam (Vande-u-Tiv). Other are Engr. Slyvanus Ghasarah (Orwasen Tar-u-Tiv); Mr. Terry Atiba (Anôngo Tar-u-Tiv); Prince Michael Kaase Aondoakaa (Ivangeyange-u-Tiv); Prof. Sebastine Hon (Semawan-u-Tiv); Air Commodore Titus Terhemba Agbacha (Rtd.) (Garyō-u-Tiv); Hon. B.T. Ashaver (Yarasuwa-u-Tiv); Prince Solomon Wombo (Imenger-i-Tiv); Rt. Hon. Barr. Emmanuel Jime (Shagbawan-u-Tiv); Prof. Okurga Malu (Akinde-u-Tiv); Prof. Eugene Aliegba (Ibughashe-i-Tiv); Dr. Steven Hwande (Jime Nor-u-Tiv); Hon. Mrs. Dorathy Mato (Pendatyo-u-Tiv); Barr. Samuel Paul Edeh (Wandor-u-Dedoo-u-Tiv); Mr. Isaac Akinkunmi (Vanya-u-Dedoo-u-Tiv); and Chief David Sabi Kente (Zege Igba-u-Tiv). Eight others are to be conferred with their titles at a later date.

As expected, the event attracted a huge presence of people, tourists, and leaders, including Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, who wore two caps at the event – representative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and as a distinguished son of the soil.

President Tinubu minced no words in hailing the Tiv language and its people, saying the Tiv nation has an enduring cultural heritage and is making invaluable contributions to Nigeria’s unity and progress.

He went into history, saying that the Tiv Cultural Day Celebration, which began in 1977, has remained a vital platform for promoting unity and preserving cultural identity among the Tiv people, a development which the president said is worthy of emulation by other ethnic groups in the country.

The Presidential eulogy acknowledged the sacrifices made by the Tiv nation to the preservation of Nigeria’s corporate unity and the promotion of national development, as can be seen in the quality of persons serving meritoriously in key positions in the Tinubu administration.

Highlighting the priorities of the Renewed Hope Agenda being assiduously pursued, said through SGF Akume that the government has demonstrated commitment to strengthening fundamental freedoms, civil liberties and good governance as evidenced in improvements in the quality of education, digitalisation of the economy, public service welfare, and the ease of doing business, which is attracting direct foreign investment in quantum leaps.

The Presidential Envoy to the occasion also pointed to the construction of new dams and major bridges across the country, including the one at River Buruku, the intensification of the war against insurgents and terrorists to achieve enhanced national security, as well as the establishment of the North Central Development Commission, which was noted as of strategic benefit to the Tiv nation and that peoples of North-Central Nigeria.

“May I commend specially once more the contribution of the Tiv people during the Nigerian Civil War to preserve the unity and territorial integrity of this country, even as I extend my continual goodwill and prayers for long life and prosperity to His Royal Majesty, the Tor Tiv, the Tiv Area Traditional Council, and the entire Tiv nation”, President Tinubu said.

For Governor Alia, the Tiv Day celebration is a new chapter in the history of the Tiv people, highlighting their numerical strength and spread across several states of Nigeria, and remaining one of Nigeria’s most identifiable ethnic group.

For him and all Tiv sons and daughters, that should be a source of pride, not just because of who they are but also for their uniqueness.

He admonished all to remain peaceful and united and work collectively for the progress of the Tiv Nation.

The governor, who was conferred with the traditional title of Asortar U Tiv, said everyone should commit to providing responsible services for the overall development of Benue State.

One key event at the ceremony was the launch of the Tiv-English Dictionary, a great milestone in the preservation and revival of Tiv language and culture.

Former Governor of Benue State, Senator Gabriel Suswam, who was among those honoured, urged Tiv sons and daughters to rise above political differences and support the government in power to advance development across Tiv land and Benue State.

The President General of Mzough-u-Tiv Worldwide, CP Iorbee Ihagh (Rtd.), described the 2025 Tiv Day celebration as a call for deeper reflection and action to promote unity and peace, which are the foundations for development.

He also had a message to the federal government to intensify efforts to end insecurity and enable displaced Tiv people to return to their ancestral homes and farms.

In his response on behalf of the honourees, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Engr. Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwada expressed gratitude to the Tiv Nation for the honour and appealed for unity and reconciliation, stressing that peace within is necessary to confront external challenges.

By Omoniyi David

Nigeria’s education sector is under intensifying threat as rising insecurity forces widespread school closures, especially in the North.

Though the country is not at war in the traditional sense, a silent assault on children’s right to learn is unfolding daily.

The recent shutdown of schools across several northern states following bandit attacks has deepened fears that the nation is gradually losing control of its educational future.

Mass abductions, ransom-driven raids, and attacks on school premises have turned classrooms into danger zones and pushed teachers and parents into constant fear.

Experts warn that describing these incidents as “mere criminality” grossly understates the problem. They say schools are being deliberately targeted, symbols of enlightenment, empowerment, and economic mobility. “An economy cannot rise when its schools are falling,” one analyst observed. “Every school closure is a factory shutdown in advance.”

Northern Nigeria, already burdened by low literacy rates, widespread poverty, and large numbers of out-of-school children, has been hit hardest.

From Chibok to Kankara and across Zamfara and Kaduna, the pattern remains grim: students abducted, ransoms negotiated, communities traumatised, and many learners too afraid to return.

Beyond the statistics lies a deeper erosion of trust. Parents increasingly doubt the state’s ability to protect students; many now see schools as risk zones rather than pathways out of poverty.

Girls are even more vulnerable as targeted attacks worsen existing barriers to girl-child education, often resulting in early marriage or permanent dropout.

Government responses, condemnation, negotiation, ransom payments, and reunions are widely criticised for inadvertently incentivising kidnappers. Security experts insist that schools must be treated as critical infrastructure, protected with intelligence-led operations and stronger community policing, not payouts.

But restoring safety alone is not enough. Rebuilding confidence will require rehabilitating damaged facilities, supporting traumatised students and teachers, and offering incentives for schooling in high-risk communities.

Nigeria stands at a defining moment. It can secure its classrooms and safeguard its future, or continue down a path where fear replaces learning and ignorance deepens.

As one observer warned, a nation that fails to protect its schools “will one day realise that its future has been kidnapped.”