By Hon. Dame Blessing Nwagba, PhD

During the recent commissioning of some projects in Abia State, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, made a statement that has since sparked debate across various political and media circles. He rightly acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for making funds available to the states, funds that have enabled many of them, including Abia, to embark on impactful development projects.

The Deputy Speaker’s assertion aligns perfectly with the message I delivered at the Ogbako Umunwanyi Igbo Worldwide 2025 August Meeting, held under the auspices of Igbo daughters in the USA.

At that gathering, I emphasized the importance of our state governors acknowledging the federal policies that have made substantial allocations to the states possible, policies that have continued to empower them to meet financial obligations more effectively.

As someone who has been closely involved in governance and policy implementation, I wish to fully align myself with the truth spoken by Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu. In today’s highly politicized environment, we must learn to separate political sentiment from objective reality. And the reality is this: President Tinubu’s bold economic reforms, particularly the removal of the long-standing fuel subsidy, have undeniably created increased fiscal space, resulting in higher revenue allocations to states.

The World Bank has also affirmed this development. In its latest Nigeria Development Update (NDU) report released in Abuja, titled “From Policy to People: Bringing the Reform Gains Home,” the Bank noted that Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s administration have begun to yield positive macroeconomic results.

This report assessed the country’s economic performance and outlined key policy priorities to ensure that the ongoing reforms lead to inclusive and sustainable growth. The World Bank’s position is a clear indication that President Tinubu’s economic reforms are already producing measurable, positive impact, something that all stakeholders should take seriously.

For decades, the fuel subsidy regime drained Nigeria’s finances without delivering proportional benefits to the average Nigerian. Its removal was a difficult but necessary decision, one that has freed up significant resources for more productive use. Today, these resources are being redirected into the Federation Account, translating into larger monthly allocations to all states, regardless of political affiliation. Data from the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) since mid-2023 substantiates this shift.

With greater funds now available, states have been able to take more decisive action on long-standing development needs: fixing critical infrastructure, paying salaries promptly, clearing salary backlogs, investing in healthcare and education, and reviving capital projects that had previously stalled due to funding limitations.

The projects recently commissioned across Abia State, whether in road construction or public infrastructure, are not the product of wishful thinking or political magic. They are the direct result of increased revenue inflows from the federal government. And it is only fair and honest to acknowledge that these improvements are largely possible because of the fiscal room created by President Tinubu’s reform-driven administration.

It is, therefore, both appropriate and necessary to extend due credit to President Tinubu for creating the enabling economic environment that now allows states to pursue their developmental goals with renewed vigor.

Sadly, some individuals, perhaps driven by entrenched opposition or political bitterness, have chosen to vilify Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu for stating what is, in fact, an incontestable truth. But true leadership demands courage and integrity—the courage to speak the truth, and the integrity to give credit where and when it is due.

As public servants and citizens, our duty is to acknowledge progress wherever it is made. This is not about party allegiance or personal loyalty; it is about national development and the shared responsibility we bear in building a better Nigeria.

I urge my fellow Abians, and indeed all Nigerians, to rise above divisive politics and embrace a spirit of constructive engagement. Let us continue to hold our leaders accountable, yes—but let us also be gracious and mature enough to recognize genuine efforts and applaud meaningful progress.

President Tinubu made a bold and unpopular decision by removing the fuel subsidy. But history will remember it as a courageous move, one that has begun to deliver dividends across the country. Today, we are seeing the benefits, and it is only just that we give credit to President Tinubu for making more funds available to the states.

Let facts speak louder than politics. Let development triumph over division. And let us, as a people, understand the strength and maturity of giving credit where, and when it is due.

Hon Dame Blessing Nwagba, PhD, a former two-term member of Abia State House of Assembly, and the APC senatorial candidate in Abia South in 2023, is the Abia State Coordinator of the Nigerian League of Women Voters