“Reforms Must Have Human Face” – Kogi Finance Commissioner Asiwaju Asiru Tells FG, States to Account for ₦15.8trn Subsidy Savings
By Our Correspondent
ABUJA — The Kogi State Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Asiwaju Idris Asiru, has said that for economic reforms to succeed in Nigeria, citizens must feel the impact through better roads, schools, hospitals, jobs and affordable food.
Asiru made the submission on Wednesday, 19th August 2026, while delivering the keynote address at the 16th Public Lecture and Induction into the Good Governance Hall of Fame organized by Democracy Newsline Newspaper at the Banquet Hall, National Merit House, Abuja.
The event, themed “Economic Reforms and Sustainable Development in a Democracy: The Nigerian Experience,” drew top public office holders, traditional rulers, captains of industry and civil society leaders.
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Speaking on the 27 years of uninterrupted democracy in Nigeria, the Commissioner said democracy must go beyond elections and deliver tangible benefits to ordinary Nigerians.
“Democracy must put food on the table. It must create jobs. It must give our children quality education. It must provide healthcare when our people need it. Above all, democracy must give our young people hope that tomorrow can be better than today,” he stated.
Justifying the removal of fuel subsidy, Asiru disclosed that ₦15.8 trillion was saved by the Federation between June 2023 and December 2025.
He, however, stressed that the savings were not retained solely by the Federal Government. According to him, ₦5.43 trillion went to the Federal Government, ₦6.52 trillion to states, and ₦3.88 trillion to local governments.
“In other words, almost two-thirds of these additional resources went to states and local governments. This means that the conversation about accountability cannot begin and end in Abuja. All of us must account,” he said.
The Commissioner acknowledged that reforms have been painful, noting increases in transportation costs, food prices and business operating costs.
“But when we talk about economic reforms, we must not speak only in statistics. Behind every statistic is a human being. Behind inflation figures is a mother trying to feed her family,” he added.
Kogi Model: Value for Money Governance
Speaking on the Kogi State Experience under Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, Asiru said the state is focused on strengthening public financial management, blocking leakages and expanding the revenue base without “taxing poverty into prosperity.”
“Our philosophy is straightforward: Good governance is not about how much money comes into government. It is about what government does with the money,” he said.
He said the Ododo administration is tying investments in roads, education, healthcare, agriculture, solid minerals and security to a long-term development plan to ensure continuity beyond political tenures.
Asiru charged public finance managers to ask: _“What result did it produce?”_ instead of just _“How much did we spend?”_
The Commissioner urged Nigerian states to shift from dependence on federal allocations and leverage their comparative advantages in agriculture, solid minerals, tourism and manufacturing.
“For Kogi State, we are blessed with agriculture, enormous solid mineral resources, tourism potential, human capital and a unique strategic location at the heart of Nigeria. Our responsibility is to turn those advantages into economic opportunities,” he said.
Asiru commended Democracy Newsline Newspaper for sustaining the public lecture for 16 years and congratulated all inductees into the Good Governance Hall of Fame.
Other dignitaries at the event included Hon. Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Chief Mrs. Moji Makanjuola, Senator Sunday Karimi, and other award recipients.
He concluded: “If our increased revenues produce measurable development, then citizens will understand the purpose of reform. And if democracy delivers better lives for our people, then democracy itself becomes stronger.”
The ceremony also featured the induction of distinguished Nigerians into the Democracy Newsline Good Governance Hall of Fame for their contributions to national development.
