President Bola Tinubu has directly linked Nigeria's insecurity to the collapse of local government administration.

Speaking in his Democracy Day address on Friday, Tinubu said the country's 774 local councils haven't functioned effectively, and that this failure has fueled the security challenges the nation now faces.

"A fundamental challenge to our nation's advancement has been ineffective local government administration. The insecurity we're addressing is partly due to the collapse of grassroots governance," he said.

The president said his administration has pushed for financial autonomy for local councils so that democracy can deliver real benefits to people at the grassroots level.

"Recognising that democracy is undermined when people don't feel its impact, my administration has sought financial autonomy for our 774 local councils."

Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, he explained, is designed to ensure every Nigerian benefits from governance regardless of where they live or their social status.

He framed the moment as a generational responsibility. "The generation of our founding fathers secured independence. The generation of June 12 secured democracy. Our generation must secure prosperity," he said.

The president called on Nigerians to reject division, cynicism, and despair, and instead embrace unity, hope, and confidence.

"Let us build a Nigeria united by a common purpose, strengthened by diversity, where justice is accessible, liberty is secure and opportunity is abundant," Tinubu said.

Nigeria's 774 local government areas have long been criticised for weak governance and financial mismanagement. Many are controlled by state governors who appoint caretaker committees instead of elected officials, which undermines accountability.

Tinubu's push for financial autonomy follows a Supreme Court ruling in July 2024 that declared it unconstitutional for state governors to withhold funds meant for local councils. The ruling ordered that allocations from the Federation Account be paid directly to local governments.

Despite the court's decision, implementation has been slow. Many states continue to control local council finances through joint accounts or other mechanisms.

Security analysts have argued that weak local governments leave communities without basic services, policing, or dispute resolution mechanisms. This vacuum allows criminal groups, bandits, and insurgents to operate freely.

Tinubu's acknowledgment of the link between governance failure and insecurity is significant because it comes from the highest office. But critics say the government must move beyond rhetoric and enforce the Supreme Court ruling to make local councils truly independent.

The president didn't announce new measures in his speech. He urged Nigerians to work together toward a more prosperous and inclusive nation.