Gombe State Governor Usman Danja Radda has pushed back against critics blaming state governments for Nigeria’s ongoing cost-of-living crisis, insisting that the Federal Government shoulders the largest share of national revenue and must be held accountable for economic outcomes. Governor Radda’s remarks came amid rising public frustration over inflation, fuel costs, electricity challenges and dwindling household purchasing power.
Speaking at a public forum, Radda said states receive just 48 percent of federally collected revenue, while the Federal Government retains 52 percent, placing the bulk of fiscal policymaking including taxation, tariff settings, subsidy removal and debt servicing under Abuja’s purview. He argued that this revenue distribution limits states’ ability to independently address macroeconomic pressures and deliver immediate relief to citizens.
The governor called for greater fiscal federalism, urging reforms that would allow subnational governments more control over internally generated funds and a larger portion of revenue allocation. Radda’s stance reflects a broader debate among Nigeria’s governors and fiscal policy analysts, who argue that empowering states economically can improve service delivery and reduce reliance on central government transfers.
Radda also stressed that while state governments are responsible for critical services like education, local infrastructure and health delivery, their capacity to act is heavily dependent on how much revenue they actually retain and control. He maintained that public hardship should not be simplistically blamed on state administrations without considering the structural revenue sharing formula that gives the Federal Government primary fiscal authority.
The governor’s message comes as pressure mounts for greater accountability and responsiveness from all tiers of government, with citizens calling for tangible measures to reduce living costs and expand economic opportunities.
