Former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Prof. Usman Yusuf, has accused state governors of shielding President Bola Tinubu from the reality of widespread hardship across the country.
Speaking in an interview with Trust TV, Yusuf claimed that while state governments are receiving increased allocations under Tinubu’s administration, the funds are not being used to improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
According to him, over 80 percent of the country’s problems stem from governors who misuse resources meant for development.
“Mr President, if they are not telling you the truth, listen to me—I am telling you the truth: there is hunger in the land,” Yusuf said. “Whatever they are telling you is not true, and your government is doing nothing to address this tragedy in a country of plenty.”
He also criticized the federal government’s conditional cash transfer programme, questioning the transparency of the reported ₦419 billion disbursed.
“I heard a minister say they have given ₦419 billion as conditional cash transfer. Who received it? Who are these people?” he asked.
Yusuf further accused governors of squandering increased revenue after the removal of fuel subsidy, noting that despite higher allocations, there is little to show on the ground.
“The governors have seen a lot more money, but there’s nothing tangible. Instead, they are busy flying around the world, buying properties, while our people are dying of hunger,” he said.
He stressed that the responsibility for job creation, education, and healthcare delivery lies with state governments, not the presidency.
“Even during Buhari’s administration, I said it—over 80 percent of our problems across all geopolitical zones are caused by governors,” he noted. “It is not the presidency that creates local jobs or builds schools and hospitals. That is the duty of governors who continue to strangle local governments.”
Yusuf added that Tinubu’s push to free local governments from state control has yielded little progress, as governors still withhold funds.
“We go home and see the suffering of our people. Meanwhile, governors cruise around in SUVs and private jets, dancing as if everything is fine,” he lamented.
