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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed satisfaction with the improving financial position of state governments, stating that many states are no longer dependent on federal interventions to meet salary obligations. The President made the remarks on Friday while hosting members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, during a Sallah homage at his Lagos residence. Reflecting on his journey to the presidency, Tinubu described the period leading to the 2023 election as one of the most challenging moments of his political career, marked by intense political and legal battles. “At the time, I faced the challenge of trying to become the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It was very challenging and tough for those who stood with me. Some kept faith, and instead of dodging the bullets, I took them,” the President said. Read Also: Ganduje breaks silence on Kwankwaso remarks, recalls 1998 Kano primaries NDC: Kwankwaso Settles for Aminu Abdussalam in Kano, Gawuna Gets Kano Central Ticket Associate Professor Amina Ganduje’s Quiet March into Nigeria’s Intellectual Elite Tinubu acknowledged the support of governors and party members who remained loyal despite uncertainties surrounding the policies his administration would eventually implement. According to him, Nigeria has successfully moved away from the threat of economic collapse and is beginning to witness the gains of key economic reforms introduced by his administration. “Instead of bankruptcy, Nigeria has survived. The economy has recovered and is growing. Agriculture is improving, food supply is increasing, and infrastructure projects are progressing across the country,” he stated. The President commended governors for helping to sustain public confidence and patience during the implementation of reforms, which he described as difficult but necessary. He noted that macroeconomic indicators have improved significantly, while abandoned infrastructure projects are being revived and the housing sector is witnessing renewed growth. “I am glad that out of the governors who previously relied on federal interventions, states are no longer struggling to pay salaries. No more,” Tinubu added. Speaking on behalf of the governors, the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said the removal of fuel subsidy and other fiscal reforms had strengthened the financial capacity of states. He noted that many state governments have been able to clear salary and pension arrears, reduce debt burdens, and execute critical infrastructure and social investment programmes. “I think the nation was shocked by the audacity of Mr President to implement that policy, but today the country has benefited immensely from it,” AbdulRazaq said. The Kwara governor further suggested that the national minimum wage could eventually rise to N100,000 as state finances continue to improve. Also speaking, Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, commended Tinubu’s leadership, describing his economic reforms as bold measures that helped stabilise the country. “You have virtually recovered Nigeria from the brink of collapse to a state of stability and survival,” Uzodinma said, adding that governors had assessed the President’s performance and awarded him a “100 per cent” score. Kano State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo, represented Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf at the meeting.

Cooking gas prices have continued to rise sharply across several parts of Nigeria, with consumers in Lagos, Ogun and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) paying as high as N2,000 per kilogramme amid worsening supply shortages and rising operational costs in the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) sector. Findings by ‘The Historica Nigeria’ on Monday showed that LPG prices now range between N1,400 and N2,000 per kilogramme in different locations across the country. In Ikorodu, Lagos State, cooking gas was sold for N1,800 per kilogramme, representing a significant increase from N1,300 recorded about a month ago. Similarly, residents around Afeeze Bus Stop in Ogba, Lagos, reportedly purchased the product at N2,000 per kilogramme, up from N1,500 within the last three weeks. Consumers in Akoka, Yaba, bought cooking gas at N1,500 per kilogramme, while residents in Ojota paid N1,400 per kilogramme. Read Also: Unlocking The Economic Potential of Nigeria’s Shea Industry 300-Year-Old Kano Farming Settlement Faces Extinction Over Sand Mining Intervention Brings Relief to Struggling Bauchi Nomadic School In Ogun State, particularly around the RCCG camp area in Mowe, the product was also sold for N2,000 per kilogramme, while residents in Owerri, Imo State, purchased it at N1,500 per kilogramme. Across the Federal Capital Territory, prices also varied, with residents in Lugbe buying the product at N1,480 per kilogramme and those in Lokogoma paying as high as N1,600 per kilogramme. Reacting to the development, the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM) expressed concern over the worsening LPG supply challenges affecting the country. In a joint statement signed by the association’s President, Edu Inyang, and Executive Secretary, Bassey Effiong, NALPGAM disclosed that consumers nationwide are now paying over N1,500 per kilogramme for cooking gas. The association explained that operators currently spend between N25.2 million and N26.2 million to procure a 20-metric-tonne truck of LPG, depending on the location. According to the marketers, the persistent rise in cooking gas prices and unstable supply have imposed severe hardship on households, food vendors, small-scale businesses and low-income earners who rely on LPG for daily cooking. NALPGAM warned that the development could reverse years of progress made by both the government and private investors toward promoting clean cooking energy as an alternative to firewood, charcoal and kerosene. The association further identified supply shortages, high depot prices, logistics bottlenecks and increasing operational costs as major factors driving the crisis in the sector. It cautioned that without urgent intervention, the situation could further worsen food inflation, force many LPG businesses to shut down, trigger job losses and undermine Nigeria’s clean energy objectives. NALPGAM therefore called on the Federal Government and key industry stakeholders, including the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), NNPC Limited, domestic gas producers and terminal operators, to urgently intervene and stabilise the LPG market. The association also recommended increased domestic gas allocation, improved product availability, transparent distribution systems, reduced importation and storage bottlenecks, as well as strategic measures aimed at stabilising prices across the country.