Tinubu blamed poor planning for Nigeria’s growth challenges

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday attributed Nigeria’s development and growth challenges to the failure of previous governments to adopt a serious long-term planning framework.

Tinubu stated this while hosting a delegation of Enugu State stakeholders led by Governor Peter Mbah at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The president said that successive governments had attempted to finance long-term projects with short-term resources, a mismatch that hampered sustainable development.

He said: “The problem in the past was that Nigeria tried to finance long-term projects with short-term funding.

“We have not yet started serious long-term prospects for our country.”

Tinubu expressed optimism that with committed and visionary leadership at the subnational level, Nigeria is on the right track to become a leading African country.

He praised Mbah for his transformative leadership in Enugu, and cited tangible improvements in security, infrastructure, education and health services as proof that reforms are producing results.

“The results you outlined are not abstract, they are proof that reforms have been successful and difficult decisions have produced concrete results,” said the President.

Tinubu assured the delegation of continued collaboration between the Federal Government and the states to drive development.

He said projects such as the Port Harcourt–Enugu railway line, power sector reforms and other infrastructure would receive continued attention.

The President emphasized the need for collective efforts at all levels of government.

“This is not an orchestra carried out by one person. This is a collective effort at the national, subnational and local government levels,” he added.

President Tinubu’ urged state leaders to expand development initiatives to local governments for wider impact.

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Earlier, Mbah said the visit was to appreciate the Federal Government’s intervention in the state and reiterate support for the Tinubu administration.

He cited the concession of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, the creation of the South East Development Commission, and ongoing road and rail projects as key interventions.

According to the governor, the reconstruction of sections of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway and progress on the Enugu–Onitsha road have improved connectivity.

Other members of the delegation are former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, former Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, former Governor Sullivan Chime, Chief Jim Nwobodo and Fr. Ejike Mbaka.