A Call for Grassroots Revival
Former state governors who served between 1999 and 2007 have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to establish cottage industries in all 774 local government areas as a long-term solution to unemployment and economic hardship, especially in rural Nigeria.

Historic Reunion at the Villa
The group, led by former Edo State Governor Lucky Igbinedion, met with Tinubu at the State House in Abuja on Friday. Among them were ex-governors James Ibori (Delta), Niyi Adebayo (Ekiti), Adamu Muazu (Bauchi), Joshua Dariye (Plateau), Victor Attah (Akwa Ibom), Adamu Aliero (Kebbi), Sam Egwu (Ebonyi), Jolly Nyame (Taraba), Boni Haruna (Adamawa), Saminu Turaki (Jigawa), Donald Duke (Cross River), and George Akume (Benue).

‘We Spoke About the State of the Nation’ – Igbinedion
Speaking after the closed-door meeting, Igbinedion said the visit was both a reunion and an opportunity to discuss urgent national concerns such as insecurity, economic instability, and food insecurity.

• “We came to see one of our own in the Class of ’99 and to bring up topics about the state of the nation,” he said. “We are glad that Mr. President received us warmly.”

President Tinubu Receptive to Proposals
According to Igbinedion, President Tinubu expressed deep concern over the issues raised and welcomed their policy suggestions. “He assured us that he’s looking into it. We also spoke about the stability of the naira, which he addressed appropriately,” he noted.

From Palliatives to Productivity
The former governors urged the President to focus on long-term solutions such as employment through local production, rather than relying on palliatives. “What is most important,” Igbinedion stressed, “is let’s create industries—especially cottage industries—that can employ people.”

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He argued that periodic cash handouts are not sustainable: “If you give palliatives to somebody today, what happens tomorrow? ₦5,000 cannot buy much.”

Security First, Then Progress
The delegation also emphasised that without adequate security, economic policies and agricultural development would be difficult to implement. “We told him, without security, there can be no progress, there can be no stability,” Igbinedion said.

Open-Door Governance
Igbinedion praised Tinubu for maintaining an open-door approach to governance and national dialogue. “He appreciated all we came to tell him. He assured us that whatever suggestions, way forward that we might have, his doors are always open.”

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