The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria has pledged to implement President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda across the country’s 774 local government areas, in a move aimed at accelerating grassroots development and strengthening governance at the local level.
The pledge was made by ALGON’s Acting National President, Iliyasu Zakari, during his inauguration in Abuja, where he described the moment as a turning point for the association and its role in national development.
Zakari, who also serves as Chairman of Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, said the association would align its programmes and policies with the Renewed Hope Agenda to ensure that federal government initiatives reach rural communities and have a direct impact on citizens at the grassroots.
He explained that local governments remain the closest tier of government to the people and therefore have a critical role to play in implementing development programmes, improving service delivery, and addressing the needs of rural dwellers.
According to him, ALGON under his leadership would focus on strengthening local governance systems, promoting transparency and accountability, and ensuring that development initiatives in areas such as primary healthcare, basic education, rural roads, agriculture, and sanitation are effectively implemented across local government areas.
Zakari also announced that the association would deepen collaboration with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to advance policies and programmes that directly affect rural communities. He said stronger cooperation between local governments and state governments would help address development challenges more effectively and ensure better coordination of projects.
He added that ALGON would work closely with federal and state authorities to ensure that local governments are properly positioned to contribute to national development, particularly in areas such as poverty reduction, job creation, food security, and rural infrastructure development.
The ALGON Acting National President also highlighted the role of the association’s Board of Trustees, noting that it would provide focused leadership and strategic direction to strengthen grassroots governance across the country.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Shaban Ohinoyi, said the inauguration marked a new phase of unity, stability, and progress for the association. He explained that ALGON had successfully resolved its internal challenges and was now better positioned to play a more active role in national development.
Ohinoyi said the association would focus on unity among local government chairmen, institutional strengthening, and policy advocacy to ensure that local governments receive the necessary support and autonomy required to function effectively.
He noted that grassroots development remains key to national growth, as many Nigerians live in rural communities where access to basic infrastructure and social services is still limited. He said strengthening local government administration would help bridge the development gap between urban and rural areas.
Stakeholders at the inauguration said the renewed commitment by ALGON to support the Renewed Hope Agenda could significantly improve policy implementation at the grassroots level, where many government programmes often face challenges related to coordination and execution.
They stressed that if properly implemented, the collaboration between ALGON, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, and the Federal Government could lead to improved rural infrastructure, better healthcare delivery, increased agricultural productivity, and enhanced economic opportunities for rural populations.
The event concluded with a renewed commitment by ALGON leadership to reposition local governments as key drivers of national development, with a focus on service delivery, community development, and effective governance.
With the new leadership in place and a renewed sense of unity within the association, observers say ALGON’s pledge to implement the Renewed Hope Agenda across the 774 local government areas could play a significant role in shaping grassroots development and improving the living conditions of millions of Nigerians.
