The Honourable Minister of Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Rt. Hon. Zaphaniah Bitrus Jisalo, MFR, has called for stronger collaboration among Federal, State, and Local Governments to accelerate grassroots development and achieve the objectives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He made this call during the 2026 Third Quarter Stakeholders and Citizens Engagement Forum held on 27 October 2026 in Abuja, with the theme, “Strengthening Grassroots Development through Effective Intergovernmental Collaboration and the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
The Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Onwusoro Maduka Ihemelandu, highlighted key recommendations from the Maiden Annual National Conference of Local Government Council Chairmen and Traditional Rulers, including electronic tracking of development projects through the GIS-PMIS, stronger partnerships between local governments and traditional institutions, agricultural development through Public-Private Partnerships, community and food security, and local government financial autonomy.
He emphasized the importance of citizens’ participation, transparency, accountability, and accurate project reporting, urging stakeholders to develop practical recommendations with clear responsibilities and measurable outcomes. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening intergovernmental relations and improving the welfare of Nigerians.
Earlier on, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Onwusoro Maduka Ihemelandu, welcomed participants and urged them to build on the resolutions of the maiden conference by proposing actionable measures to improve accountability, strengthen service delivery, and ensure government programmes deliver meaningful benefits to grassroots communities. He emphasized the need for sustained cooperation among all levels of government, traditional institutions, civil society organizations, the private sector, and citizens to promote inclusive and sustainable development.
The Guest Speaker of the event, Ejimonu Nwokodike Charles PhD highlights strategies for implementing resolutions from the Maiden Annual Conference of the 774 Local Government Council Chairmen to promote grassroots development under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Key priorities include strengthening community security, ensuring financial autonomy and accountability, improving agricultural productivity, developing herbal medicines, and introducing digital project monitoring.
He emphasizes collaboration among Federal, State and Local Governments, Traditional Institutions, security agencies and other stakeholders.
A proposed 90-day roadmap will guide implementation, monitor progress and ensure measurable improvements in grassroots governance, economic opportunities and public service delivery.
Signed
Maryam Mohammed Laisu
AD (Press and Public Relations Units)
27/10/2026
