Tinubu Tells Governors to Stop Unnecessary Flyovers, Prioritise Roads and Security

Tinubu Tells Governors to Stop Unnecessary Flyovers, Prioritise Roads and Security

Tinubu Tells Governors to Stop Unnecessary Flyovers, Prioritise Roads

President Tinubu has urged Nigerian governors to stop unnecessary flyovers and prioritise road networks, rural access and security infrastructure.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged Nigerian state governors to reconsider the construction of flyovers in areas where traffic does not justify such projects, advising them to channel more public funds into road networks, rural connectivity and infrastructure that can improve the quality of life for citizens and strengthen security operations.

The President made the remarks while receiving a delegation of traditional rulers from Oyo State led by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja.

The meeting followed the successful rescue of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, who reportedly spent 56 days in captivity before being rescued by Nigerian security forces.

Tinubu used the occasion to discuss both infrastructure development and the country's continuing security challenges, stressing that government resources should be directed toward projects with measurable benefits for Nigerians.

Tinubu Urges Governors to Rethink Flyover Projects

The President's message to state governors centred on the need for better prioritisation of public expenditure.

According to Tinubu, states are now receiving substantially higher allocations from the Federation Account compared with previous years. He therefore challenged governors to use the additional resources to provide infrastructure that addresses the most pressing needs of their populations.

Rather than constructing flyovers in locations where traffic volumes are relatively low, Tinubu encouraged state governments to focus on road networks and arterial routes capable of connecting communities and improving transportation.

The President argued that roads are particularly important in remote communities because they can improve access not only to markets, schools and healthcare facilities but also to security agencies.

His position highlights a wider infrastructure question facing Nigeria: whether governments should prioritise highly visible projects or invest more heavily in basic infrastructure that can benefit larger populations over time.

Why Road Infrastructure Matters to Nigeria's Development

Road infrastructure remains critical to Nigeria's economic development.

Good roads make it easier for farmers to transport agricultural products from rural communities to markets. They allow businesses to move goods between towns and cities and make it easier for people to access schools, hospitals, workplaces and other essential services.

Poor roads can have the opposite effect.

When communities are connected by damaged or poorly maintained roads, transportation costs can rise, businesses may struggle to operate efficiently and emergency services can face delays.

For rural communities, the consequences can be even more significant.

A properly maintained road can help connect isolated communities to major towns while providing security agencies with easier access to areas that may otherwise be difficult to reach.

This is why Tinubu's argument goes beyond transportation.

He is linking infrastructure investment to both economic development and national security.

Flyovers Versus Roads: What Should Governments Prioritise?

Flyovers can play an important role in cities where traffic congestion is severe.

At major intersections experiencing persistent traffic jams, properly planned flyovers may reduce congestion, improve travel times and support economic activity.

However, the President's concern is about constructing such infrastructure where there is insufficient traffic to justify the cost.

A major infrastructure project can require significant public resources for design, construction, maintenance and long-term management.

The central issue, therefore, is whether the investment addresses a genuine public need.

If a community urgently requires connecting roads, bridges, drainage systems and rural access routes, spending heavily on a flyover elsewhere may generate less public value.

Tinubu's comments are likely to fuel renewed discussions about how state governments evaluate major capital projects.

The debate is not necessarily about whether flyovers are good or bad.

Rather, it is about ensuring that public infrastructure matches the needs of the people it is designed to serve.

Tinubu Links Infrastructure to National Security

One of the most significant elements of the President's remarks was his emphasis on the relationship between road infrastructure and security.

Nigeria continues to face security challenges in different parts of the country, including kidnapping, terrorism and banditry.

Remote communities can be particularly vulnerable when security agencies have difficulty reaching them quickly.

Bad roads, difficult terrain and inadequate access routes can increase the time required for security personnel to respond to emergencies.

This makes road development an important part of the wider security conversation.

According to Tinubu, better road and arterial networks could make it easier for security agencies to penetrate remote areas and respond to threats.

The argument reflects a broader understanding that security is not solely about weapons, personnel and intelligence.

Infrastructure can also determine how effectively security forces respond when communities are threatened.

Oyo School Abduction Raises Fresh Security Concerns

Tinubu's comments came against the backdrop of the recent rescue of abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State.

The victims were reportedly taken from schools in Oriire Local Government Area and remained in captivity for 56 days before their rescue.

Their prolonged captivity generated significant concern among families, community leaders and Nigerians who followed the incident.

The successful rescue subsequently drew attention to the capacity of Nigeria's security agencies to conduct coordinated operations against criminal groups operating in difficult terrain.

The President commended members of the armed forces and other security personnel involved in the operation.

The incident has also renewed discussions about protecting schools, strengthening rural security and ensuring that security agencies can reach vulnerable communities quickly.

Tinubu Says Government Refused to Pay Ransom

The President also disclosed details about the demands reportedly made by the abductors.

According to Tinubu, the criminals wanted the government to release some of their detained members in addition to seeking financial demands.

The President said the government rejected the conditions.

Tinubu maintained that his administration would not negotiate with criminals or release detained suspects as part of an arrangement for securing the freedom of abducted victims.

The position represents the administration's broader approach to confronting terrorism, kidnapping and other forms of organised criminal activity.

The government's challenge, however, remains significant because kidnapping networks can operate across difficult terrain and exploit gaps in security coverage.

Nigerian Army Expansion From Eight to 12 Divisions

Tinubu also connected the Oyo incident to the Federal Government's decision to expand the Nigerian Army's operational structure.

The President said the military is moving from eight divisions to 12 divisions as part of efforts to improve the country's security response.

According to Tinubu, the expansion is intended to provide a geographical and numerical response to terrorism and banditry.

The objective is to reduce response times by increasing the military's presence and operational reach.

In a country with a large geographical area and numerous communities exposed to security threats, the location of military formations can have a major effect on how quickly troops can respond to emergencies.

Greater operational coverage could therefore become an important element of Nigeria's strategy against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.

State Police Could Become Part of Nigeria's Security Architecture

Another major issue raised by Tinubu was the creation of state police.

The President said state police would be established with safeguards designed to prevent abuse.

The proposal has generated significant debate in Nigeria for years.

Supporters believe state police could improve community-level security because local officers may have greater knowledge of their communities, roads, forests and local security challenges.

They argue that a more decentralised security structure could allow authorities to respond more quickly to crimes and emergencies.

However, concerns have also been raised about potential political interference and misuse of state security agencies.

Tinubu acknowledged the need for safeguards, saying the system would require appropriate guardrails.

The President also said traditional rulers would have an important role to play in the new local security arrangement.

Forest Guards Could Strengthen Local Security

Tinubu also highlighted the importance of strengthening forest guards.

Nigeria's forests and remote rural areas have increasingly featured in discussions about kidnapping and criminal activity.

Criminal groups can exploit difficult terrain, limited road access and weak local security coverage to hide or move between communities.

Forest guards could potentially provide an additional layer of local surveillance and intelligence.

When combined with stronger conventional security operations, local policing and improved roads, such measures could make it more difficult for criminals to operate undetected in remote locations.

The President linked the need for stronger forest security to the wider security situation across Nigeria and neighbouring Sahel countries.

Insecurity Across the Sahel Adds Pressure

Tinubu also pointed to security challenges in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Republic as factors contributing to Nigeria's security difficulties.

The wider Sahel region has experienced years of instability involving terrorism, insurgency and organised criminal networks.

Nigeria's geographical position means developments in neighbouring countries can have implications for its own security environment.

The movement of people, weapons and criminal networks across porous borders can create additional challenges for security agencies.

This makes regional intelligence cooperation, border security and domestic security capacity increasingly important.

For Nigeria, improving security therefore requires both internal reforms and stronger responses to cross-border threats.

Higher State Allocations Bring Greater Expectations

Tinubu's remarks also place greater responsibility on state governors.

The President said states are now receiving significantly higher allocations than they previously received from the Federation Account.

With increased resources comes greater public expectation.

Nigerians want to see improvements in roads, healthcare, education, security, employment opportunities, water supply and other essential services.

The question for governors is how to allocate available resources in ways that produce the greatest long-term benefits.

Large infrastructure projects may attract attention, but smaller projects spread across communities can sometimes have a more direct effect on people's daily lives.

A network of functioning roads, for example, can support thousands of residents and businesses across several communities.

What Tinubu's Message Means for Nigerian Governors

The President's comments could encourage state governments to review their infrastructure priorities.

Governors may increasingly face questions about the economic value, traffic demand and long-term maintenance costs of major urban projects.

This does not mean every flyover project is unnecessary.

Where congestion is severe and independent assessments show that a flyover is required, such infrastructure can provide significant benefits.

But where traffic demand is limited, governments may need to consider whether roads, bridges, drainage systems, schools, healthcare facilities or other infrastructure should receive priority.

The broader principle is simple: public spending should respond to public needs.

Infrastructure and Security Must Work Together

Nigeria's development and security challenges are closely connected.

A community without reliable roads can face difficulties attracting businesses, transporting agricultural products and accessing public services.

The same lack of connectivity can make it harder for security agencies to respond quickly to emergencies.

This means infrastructure planning should increasingly take security requirements into account.

Road networks designed to connect remote communities could serve both economic and security purposes.

Improved access routes could help farmers and businesses while also allowing police, military and emergency responders to reach vulnerable locations more efficiently.

President Bola Tinubu's call for governors to stop building unnecessary flyovers has opened another important conversation about infrastructure spending and public priorities in Nigeria.

The President wants state governments to focus more strongly on road networks, rural connectivity and infrastructure that improves living standards while strengthening the ability of security agencies to access remote areas.

His remarks also came at a critical time for Nigeria's security strategy following the rescue of abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State.

The planned expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions, the proposed introduction of state police and the strengthening of forest guards all point toward a broader effort to improve security coverage.

For state governments, the challenge is to ensure that available resources produce tangible results for citizens.

Whether that means constructing a flyover, repairing rural roads, building bridges or improving security access should ultimately depend on the needs of each community and the measurable benefits of the investment.

For millions of Nigerians, the most important question is not how impressive a project looks, but whether it makes everyday life safer, easier and more productive.

FAQ

Why did Tinubu ask governors to stop building unnecessary flyovers?

President Tinubu urged governors to prioritise road networks and other infrastructure where flyovers are not justified by traffic demand. He said improved roads can enhance living standards and provide better access for security agencies.

What did Tinubu say about state allocations?

The President said states are now receiving substantially more money from the Federation Account than they received previously and urged governors to make better use of available resources.

How does road infrastructure affect security in Nigeria?

Good road networks can make it easier and faster for security agencies and emergency responders to reach remote communities, particularly during security incidents.

What happened to the abducted Oyo schoolchildren and teachers?

The victims were rescued after spending 56 days in captivity, according to the information contained in the report.

Will Nigeria establish state police?

Tinubu said state police would form part of efforts to strengthen local security, while safeguards would be introduced to reduce the risk of abuse.

Why is the Nigerian Army being expanded?

Tinubu said the move from eight to 12 divisions is intended to increase geographical coverage and reduce response times in the fight against terrorism and banditry.

What Do You Think?

Do you agree with President Tinubu that Nigerian governors should prioritise road networks and security infrastructure over unnecessary flyovers?

Should state governments publish detailed cost-benefit assessments before approving major infrastructure projects?

Share your thoughts in the comment section, share this article with others and follow MyInfoJet for more Nigerian politics, breaking news, security updates, sports, entertainment and inspirational stories.

Nigeria Politics, Bola Tinubu, Nigerian Governors, Infrastructure, Security, Oyo State, Breaking News