States Now Financially Viable to Execute More Projects, Says Wike

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has declared that Nigeria’s states are now financially positioned to embark on more developmental projects without depending on Federal Government bailouts.

Wike, speaking during a media briefing in Abuja, said the financial situation of states had improved under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, noting that governors now have greater capacity to deliver infrastructure and social programmes.

“In the past, we used to talk about bailouts for states. But today, no state requires bailout to pay salaries or carry out its responsibilities. The resources available have made them financially viable to plan and execute projects,” Wike stated.

The minister, who previously served as governor of Rivers State, argued that the new fiscal environment should translate into better governance at the sub-national level.

He urged governors to ensure prudent use of resources, cautioning against awarding projects without securing funds to complete them.

Wike also pointed to his own approach in the FCT, promising an “aggressive revenue drive” to fund capital projects and accelerate service delivery.

He stressed that accountability and financial discipline remain central to sustaining viability across all tiers of government.

Analysts note that while federal allocations have recently risen — buoyed by policy changes, including subsidy removal and exchange rate adjustments — the financial strength of states still varies.

Some generate substantial internally generated revenue, while others remain largely dependent on federal transfers.

Nonetheless, Wike’s comments signal confidence in the states’ ability to take on more responsibility for development, with higher expectations now placed on governors to translate fiscal gains into visible improvements for citizens.