Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said that under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, no state governor or local government chairman can complain of inadequate funding, as federal allocations to subnational governments have significantly increased to drive development across the country.

Sanwo-Olu made this known on Tuesday during a one-day public lecture organised by the Arewa Think Tank to commemorate Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary at the Arewa House in Kaduna State. The lecture, themed “65th Year of Nigeria’s Independence: The Journey So Far with the Renewed Hope Agenda in View,” brought together political leaders, academics, youth groups, and development stakeholders to assess the nation’s progress under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

In his keynote address, the Lagos State governor commended Nigerians for their resilience and optimism despite years of challenges. He explained that President Tinubu’s fiscal reforms have improved the financial outlook of state and local governments.

“Today, that story has changed. Ask any state governor or local government chairman, and they will tell you just how much revenue has surged under the watch of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. There is now more money to do more that benefits the people of Nigeria,” Sanwo-Olu said.

He attributed the improved fiscal position to deliberate policy reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration, which are focused on strengthening federalism and empowering states and local councils. According to him, between 2023 and 2024, allocations to state governments increased by about 62 percent, while local governments recorded a 47 percent rise.

Sanwo-Olu also highlighted the new tax reforms which reduced the Federal Government’s share of Value Added Tax (VAT) from 15 percent to 10 percent, giving states 55 percent and local governments 35 percent. He described this change as “another bold step by the President to ensure that governance is closer to the people.”

The governor further praised President Tinubu’s strong advocacy for local government financial autonomy. He recalled the Federal Government’s recent victory at the Supreme Court, which established a historic legal foundation for the independence of local councils in Nigeria.

Sanwo-Olu disclosed that the President’s next major reform focus is on restructuring the nation’s security architecture through the creation of state police, a policy he described as “long overdue and fundamental.”

Quoting President Tinubu’s recent remarks to Katsina leaders, the governor said, “I am reviewing all aspects of security. I have to create a State Police. We are looking at that holistically. We will defeat insecurity.”

He described the Renewed Hope Agenda as a “bridge-building framework” designed to unite Nigeria’s diverse regions through equity, reform, and inclusive growth. According to him, “President Tinubu is a veteran unifier and a bridge-builder. His Renewed Hope Agenda is about connecting Nigeria — bridges of reform, of prosperity, and of national unity.”

Drawing inspiration from Nigeria’s founding fathers, particularly the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sanwo-Olu emphasized that sustainable development must be homegrown and context-specific. “More than six decades later, the Sardauna’s words still ring true. Our duty is to build on those legacies, planting trees we may not sit under, but ensuring a better Nigeria for future generations,” he said.

Reaffirming Lagos State’s commitment to supporting the Federal Government in advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda, Sanwo-Olu declared, “The task ahead is immense, but together, guided by unity and purpose, we will achieve it.”

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has stated that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has succeeded in ending the regimes of volatility and unpredictability that previously affected Nigeria’s economy. He made this known in Abuja on Tuesday while declaring open the Digital Nigeria International Conference and Exhibition 2025, where he addressed policymakers, innovators, investors, and technology stakeholders on the future of the nation’s digital economy.

According to him, global economic uncertainties, shocks, shifting alliances, and the rapid displacement of traditional jobs by emerging technologies compelled the administration to act boldly. He noted that the reforms currently being implemented are already stabilising the economy and restoring investor confidence. He cited Fitch’s upgrade of Nigeria’s sovereign rating to B with a stable outlook and Moody’s lifting of the nation’s issuer rating to B3 with a stable outlook as evidence of growing international approval of the government’s policy direction.

“The world is taking note of the steady course the nation is maintaining,” Shettima said. “What this Administration has achieved is to end the regimes of volatility and unpredictability that once defined our economy. The phase before us now is to ensure that these macroeconomic gains trickle down to the people, from the kiosks of our neighbourhood traders to the boardrooms of our multinational corporations.”

He explained that the government would no longer apply outdated solutions to modern challenges. “We did what we have done because we can no longer apply 20th-century solutions to 21st-century problems,” he said. He described the Digital Nigeria Conference as a platform that affirms innovation for a sustainable digital future that accelerates growth, inclusion, and global competitiveness.

The Vice President said the conference theme, “Innovation for a Sustainable Digital Future: Accelerating Growth, Inclusion, and Global Competitiveness,” aligns with President Tinubu’s economic reform agenda. He stated that the future being built is one where Nigerian youth are given priority and representation in decision-making processes and digital transformation efforts across various sectors.

Shettima emphasized that digital transformation is key to Nigeria’s long-term stability. However, he noted that the country must set its priorities correctly to move beyond the quick development of simple applications and instead build deep technology solutions that support agriculture, healthcare, logistics, and governance. He highlighted the need for digital services to benefit all parts of the country equally.

“We need a digital ecosystem that works as seamlessly in Lagos as it does in Abuja, in Port Harcourt, in Kano, in Gusau, and across every corner of our nation,” he said. “The digital success we seek is one where the farmer in Bida can access real-time market data to sell his harvest at a fair price, where a young woman in Oguta can work remotely for a global company because she has connectivity and the skills to compete. That is the inclusive growth President Tinubu envisions.”

He said Nigeria must no longer lament its absence in past industrial revolutions. Instead, the country should recognise the digital era as a chance to define its own place in global development. Shettima described President Tinubu as a leader of vision guiding the nation through a period that demands reform and patriotism.

He outlined the administration’s digital strategy based on three pillars: People, Infrastructure, and Policy. On People, he said the government is building a talent pipeline by integrating digital literacy into school curricula, digitising the informal sector through the Digital Literacy for All programme, and training professionals through the 3 Million Technical Talent initiative.

On Infrastructure, he said the administration is constructing the broadband superhighway needed to support a strong digital economy. Projects like Bridge and 774 are expanding high-speed internet access to ensure that innovation hubs across the country have equal opportunities to grow.

On Policy, he explained that the government is creating an environment that encourages innovation. He pointed to the success of the cashless economy reforms, which have helped position Nigeria as one of the most dynamic fintech ecosystems in Africa. He added that the government is in the advanced stage of passing the National Digital Economy and e-Governance Bill, which will support smarter governance and efficient public service delivery.

Shettima called on the private sector to continue supporting the government’s digital vision. He described private organisations, innovators, and economic experts as important partners who turn possibilities into progress.

He also stressed that Nigeria’s digital economy is critical for job creation, wealth expansion, and economic diversification. He said emerging opportunities in software development, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and digital payments can position Nigeria as a competitive global player. He noted that the government’s responsibility is to create conditions that allow talent and private capital to thrive.

The Vice President said the administration is working to strengthen investor protection, promote transparent regulatory frameworks, and ensure that young entrepreneurs have access to funding opportunities. He said that venture capital networks, startup incubation centres, and partnerships with global technology companies will be encouraged to support local innovation. He added that discussions with international development partners are ongoing to support digital skills training and technology investment.

Earlier, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, said the digital policies being introduced are improving Nigeria’s digital infrastructure. He called on stakeholders to deepen collaboration to make Nigeria a global example in technology adoption for shared prosperity.

The Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, praised the Vice President for his support for Nigerian youth. He said the government remains committed to empowering young people to solve national challenges through technology.

The CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, noted the increasing global use of digital devices and highlighted the economic potential of the digital sector. He emphasized the need for Nigeria to harness this potential through collaboration, innovation, and sustained digital growth.

He added that Nigeria’s future in the digital economy will depend on commitment, investment in skills, and cooperation between government and private sector ensuring progress.