Buratai Rallies Behind Tinubu’s Bold Reforms, Urges Governors to Step Up on Security and Development

Former Army Chief Tukur Buratai has praised President Tinubu’s reform agenda as impactful but called for more adaptive implementation to ease hardship and boost prosperity.

At a Lagos lecture, he urged governors to stop over-relying on Abuja and lead local security efforts, while also calling on the media to promote unity and responsibility.

Retired Nigerian Army Chief, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, has thrown his weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reform agenda, commending its transformative potential while noting the need for strategic refinements. Buratai delivered these remarks during a high-level public lecture in Lagos, hosted by Timelineng, where he addressed critical national issues at the nexus of media, governance, and security.

During his keynote speech, Buratai expressed confidence in Tinubu’s policy direction, stating that the economic measures rolled out over the past two years are already making measurable impacts. He cited improved fiscal indices and a renewed focus on industrial revitalization as signs of progress. However, he emphasized that policy implementation must be sustained and adaptive to ensure long-term national prosperity.

“The direction is right,” Buratai affirmed. “But reforms must remain dynamic and responsive to the realities of the common Nigerian.”

Governors urged to lead security efforts

Shifting his focus to Nigeria’s worsening security challenges, Buratai issued a stern call to state governors, urging them to stop relying solely on the federal government and instead assume greater leadership in safeguarding lives and property. He pointed out that the Nigerian Constitution empowers state leaders with broad authority, especially under Sections 4(7), 7(1), and 11, to collaborate with federal agencies and deploy state resources toward law enforcement and crisis management.

“There’s no constitutional barrier stopping governors from protecting their states,” he emphasized. “Delaying action is a disservice to the people.”

He called for strategic investments in surveillance technology, community policing, youth empowerment, and critical infrastructure like roads and schools, all of which, he said, are foundational to a secure society.

“Any funds spent to save human lives are never wasted,” Buratai declared, drawing applause from attendees.

Media’s role in stability and national unity

Buratai also addressed the increasingly sensitive role of the media in Nigeria’s fragile democracy. He urged journalists to blend their watchdog role with a heightened sense of responsibility, particularly when reporting on security-related issues.

“Freedom of the press is vital,” he acknowledged. “But when misused, it can ignite chaos, destabilize communities, and undermine economic progress.”

Drawing from his military leadership experience, Buratai referenced his initiation of the Nigerian Army’s Social Media Dialogue and commitment to transparency through regular media engagements. He called for continued cooperation between the media, government officials, and civil society to build trust and national cohesion.

Wider support for Tinubu’s governance

Buratai’s remarks echoed sentiments shared earlier this month by elder statesman and Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti. The respected Yoruba leader publicly praised President Tinubu for surpassing expectations in his first two years in office, particularly in areas of infrastructure, governance reform, and regional equity.

As Nigeria enters a pivotal phase in its democratic journey, Buratai’s message is clear: leadership must be shared, not centralised. Whether in media, state governance, or federal policy, every institution has a role to play in shaping a safer, stronger Nigeria.