President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been urged to prioritise the creation of cottage industries across local governments as a sustainable measure to reduce economic hardship and unemployment, especially in rural communities.

Members of the 1999 Class of Governorswho visited the President at the State House, Abuja, made the call on Friday

The delegation was led by former Governor Lucky Igbinedion (Edo) and included prominent figures such as James Ibori (Delta); Niyi Adebayo (Ekiti); Adamu Muazu (Bauchi); Joshua Dariye (Plateau); Victor Attah (Akwa-Ibom); Adamu Aliero (Kebbi); Sam Egwu (Ebonyi); Jolly Nyame (Taraba); Boni Haruna (Adamawa); Saminu Turaki (Jigawa); Donald Duke (Cross River) and George Akume (Benue).

Speaking to journalists after the closed-door meeting, Igbinedion said the visit was an opportunity for the group to share perspectives with the President on pressing national issues, particularly security, economic hardship, and food security.

“We came to see one of our own in the Class of ’99 and to bring up topics about the state of the nation. We are glad that Mr. President received us warmly. We spoke basically about the security situation of the nation, the economy and, of course, agriculture,”, gbinedion said.

The former Edo Governor noted that President Tinubu showed “deep concern” about the issues raised and welcomed their suggestions on how to bring succour to the people, particularly those grappling with poverty in rural areas.

“He assured us that he’s looking into it. We also spoke about the stability of the naira, which he addressed appropriately,” Igbinedion added, describing the conversation as “a very fruitful deliberation.”

In their assessment of the administration’s current policies, the delegation acknowledged the steps taken so far but urged the President to deepen efforts at economic reform by focusing on job creation rather than short-term relief.

“What is most important,” Igbinedion stressed, “is let’s create industries—especially cottage industries—that can employ people, rather than just giving out palliatives.”

According to him, a decentralised model of micro-industries across the country’s 774 local governments would provide a more enduring solution to poverty and hunger than periodic cash handouts.

“We implored him to try as much as possible to create cottage industries in all the local governments of the Federation where people can be employed. If you give palliatives to somebody today, what happens tomorrow? If he has ₦5,000 in the morning, what is he going to do by lunchtime or dinner time? ₦5,000 cannot buy much”, he said.

The delegation also emphasised that without adequate security, no economic or agricultural initiative can thrive.

“We told him, without security, there can be no progress, there can be no stability,” Igbinedion noted.

He praised President Tinubu for being receptive to their views and committed to sustaining an open-door policy for continued engagement on national development.

“He appreciated all we came to tell him. He assured us that whatever suggestions, way forward, that we might have, his doors are always open for such conversations”, Igbinedion concluded.