Nigeria is awash with financial resources, but for most citizens, the streets tell a starkly different story. The latest FAAC report shows a record N2.225 trillion shared among the federal, state, and local governments in August 2025. In theory, these sums should translate into better roads, reliable electricity, functional hospitals, and enhanced security. In practice, hunger persists, insecurity deepens, and essential public services remain largely inadequate.
Under President Bola Tinubu, the federal government has consistently remitted allocations to states and local governments. Governors also collect statutory revenue, VAT allocations, derivation funds, and discretionary security votes, in addition to generous allowances for travel, meetings, and legislative activities. Yet, despite these immense resources, citizens continue to shoulder the burden of infrastructural decay and social hardship.
The picture of governance, however, is far from uniform. Some governors are making concerted efforts to translate allocations into tangible development. Roads are repaired, health centers upgraded, and security strengthened in certain states, reflecting responsible stewardship and a commitment to citizen welfare.
In stark contrast, other states operate with governance standards worse than some local councils. Funds appear mismanaged or diverted, projects are abandoned, and citizens are left to cope with the consequences of inefficiency, corruption, and political patronage. In these states, financial abundance does not translate into human progress.
Security votes, a critical mechanism to protect citizens and strengthen law enforcement, highlight the divide between effective and ineffective governance. In states where funds are strategically deployed, measurable improvements in policing and security infrastructure can be seen. Elsewhere, trillions are allocated yet insecurity remains unchecked, leaving citizens to question how such massive sums can yield so little protection.
The roots of this problem are multifaceted. Pre-committed obligations such as debt servicing and statutory transfers reduce discretionary spending, but even after accounting for these, billions remain unaccounted for in underperforming states. Bureaucratic inefficiencies, opaque reporting, and entrenched political patronage networks further widen the gap between revenue inflows and citizen welfare.
The consequences of mismanagement are tangible. Pothole-ridden highways, under-equipped hospitals, underfunded schools, and poorly resourced police units are daily reminders that public funds are not reaching the people who need them most. Citizens see little evidence that governors are prioritizing public welfare over personal or political interests.
Transparency, a cornerstone of accountable governance, is often absent. Independent audits are sporadic, budget tracking is weak, and citizen participation in monitoring expenditures is minimal. This opacity allows mismanagement to persist while diligent governors struggle to demonstrate results to their constituents.
Nigeria’s wealth is undeniable, yet the uneven quality of governance across states undermines its transformative potential. While some leaders demonstrate integrity, strategic planning, and developmental focus, others squander resources, leaving citizens to bear the human cost of negligence and corruption.
Closing this gap requires a dual approach, supporting governors who deliver tangible results and holding underperforming leaders accountable through audits, legislative oversight, and civic engagement. Citizens deserve clear reporting, performance-based governance, and visible improvements in infrastructure, security, and essential services.
The FAAC numbers tell a story of financial abundance, the streets tell another, a tale of inequality in governance, uneven development, and unfulfilled promises. The contrast between states that deliver and those that fail exposes the urgent need for accountability, transparency, and civic vigilance.
For too long, billions have flowed into state coffers with minimal impact on citizens’ lives. It is no longer enough to marvel at allocations. Governors must be judged by results, and public funds must be spent transparently on roads that are driveable, schools that educate, hospitals that heal, and security that protects. Anything less is a betrayal of the people’s trust.