President Bola Tinubu has demanded evidence-based governance from the chairmen of Nigeria’s 774 local councils, urging them to strengthen planning and accountability, and ensure that the benefits of government policies and programmes reach the grassroots.

Tinubu gave the charge yesterday in Abuja while declaring open the maiden Annual National Conference of the 774 Local Council Chairmen, with the theme “Cascading President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to the Grassroots,” describing council autonomy as an instrument for service delivery.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ola Olukoyede, has assured council chairmen and traditional rulers’ councils across the country that anti-corruption enforcement would penetrate the grassroots to get development closer to the people.

Speaking at the maiden Annual National Conference of Local Council Chairmen and Traditional Rulers’ Councils, he pledged closer attention to transparency at the sub-national tier, stressing that the EFCC’s commitment to accountability does not stop at the federal level.

He noted that as more resources flow to councils, the real measure of success would be whether that funding translates into tangible improvements in the everyday lives of grassroots communities.

The president, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, said the success of governance should be measured by the changes experienced by citizens in their wards, villages, towns and communities.

He stressed that the councils must become centres of planning, implementation, coordination and early warning, supported by technology, reliable statistics and measurable results.

According to him, “the true test of policy is not what is announced in Abuja but what changes in our wards, villages, towns and communities.”

Tinubu also urged the leadership of the councils to identify local challenges and respond to them through evidence-based decisions, stating that their proximity to the people gives them a better understanding of challenges such as inadequate medicines in primary healthcare centres, farmers’ needs, youth unemployment and emerging community tensions.

He listed primary healthcare, basic education, rural roads, potable water, food production, support for small businesses and opportunities for women and young people among areas where councils should deliver tangible results.

On security, the president urged council chairmen to work closely with traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth and women groups, community associations and lawful security agencies to strengthen security at the community level.

The president emphasised that lasting peace is built “community by community,” and urged the chairmen to develop mechanisms for preventing, detecting and addressing grievances before they escalate into crises.

He explained that the government’s approach to grassroots development was based on the recognition that Nigeria could not develop solely from the centre, adding that this informed his creation of the 37 Local Council Development Areas in Lagos State when he was the governor.

According to Tinubu, the initiative was driven by the need to bring government closer to citizens and expand access to public services and development opportunities.