President Bola Tinubu attributed Nigeria’s development challenges to the failure of past administrations to implement serious long‑term planning frameworks. Speaking at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday, he hosted a delegation of Enugu State stakeholders led by Governor Peter Mbah. Tinubu explained that successive governments have tried to finance long‑term projects with short‑term resources, creating a mismatch that hinders sustainable development. “What has been the problem in the past is Nigeria trying to finance long‑term projects with short‑term funding,” he said. “We have not embarked upon a serious long‑term outlook for our country.”
The president expressed optimism that, with committed and visionary leadership at subnational levels, Nigeria is on the right trajectory toward becoming a leading African nation. He commended Governor Mbah for what he described as transformative leadership in Enugu, citing visible improvements in security, infrastructure, education and healthcare as evidence that reforms are yielding results. “The results you have outlined are not abstract. They are evidence that reform is working and that difficult decisions are yielding real outcomes,” Tinubu remarked.
Tinubu assured the delegation of continued collaboration between the federal government and the states to drive development, noting that projects such as the Port Harcourt–Enugu rail line, power‑sector reforms and other infrastructure initiatives will receive sustained attention. He stressed that development requires collective effort across all tiers of government: “It’s not a one‑man orchestra. It’s a collective effort at the national, subnational and local government levels.” He urged state leaders to extend development initiatives to local governments for broader impact.
Earlier, Governor Mbah said the visit was intended to appreciate the federal government’s interventions in the state and to reaffirm support for Tinubu’s administration. He highlighted the concessioning of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, the establishment of the South East Development Commission, and ongoing road and rail projects as key interventions. According to the governor, reconstruction of sections of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway and progress on the Enugu–Onitsha road have improved connectivity, and the planned completion of the Port Harcourt–Enugu rail line will further boost regional economic activity. Mbah noted a significant reduction in security incidents and cited investments in education, healthcare and infrastructure as improving livelihoods. He reaffirmed the support of the Enugu people for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election.
Other members of the delegation included former Senate President Ken Nnamani, former governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Sullivan Chime, Chief Jim Nwobodo and Fr. Ejike Mbaka, among others.
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