Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has called on President Bola Tinubu to take the lead in addressing widespread poverty in the country, rather than merely urging governors to act.

In a statement on Sunday, Falana referenced the President’s remarks at a recent meeting with governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), where Tinubu acknowledged the harsh economic realities faced by Nigerians due to neoliberal policies.

Quoting the President, Falana noted, “Nigerians are still complaining at the grassroots. To you, the governors, you must wet the grass more and deliver progressive change to Nigerians. May God bless our democracy and grant us more fertile lands.”

However, Falana urged the Federal Government to move beyond appeals and instead demonstrate leadership by fully funding existing welfare programmes.

“Instead of begging state governments to ‘wet ground more’, President Bola Tinubu is urged to ensure that the National Social Investment Programme Agency Act is adopted and enacted into law by the 36 state governments,” he stated.