….Ex-Lawmaker Rotimi Makinde Issues Strong Challenge to Governors, Unveils Blueprint for One Million Jobs
Former member of the House of Representatives who represented Ife Federal Constituency, Hon. Rotimi Makinde, has delivered a passionate call on state governors across Nigeria to abandon what he described as “beautification projects” and concentrate on direct investment in citizens through massive empowerment and job-creation initiatives.
In a strongly-worded intervention titled “A Wake-Up Call to Governors: It Is Time to Invest Directly in Your People,” Makinde argued that while the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is implementing economic reforms aimed at repositioning the nation’s economy, state governments must now become active drivers of wealth creation and employment generation.
According to the former lawmaker, the country has reached a critical stage where governors must move beyond ceremonial projects and adopt creative economic strategies capable of transforming the lives of ordinary citizens.
“It is no longer time to commission another roundabout or paint another bridge. Those are beautification projects, not liberation projects,” Makinde declared.
One Million Jobs Vision
Makinde outlined what he described as a practical model for economic empowerment capable of creating as many as one million jobs in a single state.
Under the proposal, governors would support hundreds of citizens to establish businesses in various sectors including poultry farming, piggery operations, juice manufacturing, nail production, fish farming, cassava processing, garment making, soap production and food packaging.
Rather than offering traditional bank loans with high interest rates, the former legislator advocated direct state-backed intervention through the provision of equipment, working capital, land acquisition, training programmes and market access opportunities.
He suggested that beneficiaries should be given a four-year period to stabilize their businesses before government recovers and reinvests the funds in another batch of entrepreneurs.
Makinde maintained that such a model would generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs while stimulating local economies and reducing youth unemployment.
“Building Businesses Is Better Than Building Bridges”
The former federal lawmaker emphasized that real governance should be measured not merely by the number of physical infrastructure projects commissioned but by the number of citizens empowered to earn sustainable livelihoods.
According to him, while roads, bridges and flyovers remain important components of development, long-term prosperity can only be achieved when governments deliberately create producers rather than consumers.
“A creative governor knows that building bridges is good, but building businesses is better. Building a flyover is good, but building 1,000 factories is legacy,” he stated.
Proposal for State-Backed Taxi Scheme
Drawing attention to transportation challenges in Ile-Ife, Makinde proposed the introduction of a state-supported taxi programme that would provide at least 200 vehicles for public transportation.
He noted that such an initiative would enhance safety for commuters, particularly the elderly and hospital visitors who currently depend heavily on commercial motorcycles.
The former lawmaker argued that safe transportation should be treated not merely as a convenience but as an important public welfare and economic service.
Call for State-Owned Hotels and Tourism Investment
Makinde also advocated strategic government investment in the hospitality and tourism sectors.
He proposed the establishment of three mega state-owned hotels, one in each senatorial district, saying such projects could stimulate tourism, generate employment and increase internally generated revenue.
Using Ile-Ife as an example, he noted that the city’s rich cultural and historical significance presents enormous tourism opportunities that remain largely untapped.
According to him, governors should not wait endlessly for foreign investors but should take the lead in building tourism infrastructure capable of attracting local and international visitors.
Regional Economic Cooperation
In another major recommendation, Makinde urged states and local governments to embrace regional partnerships for economic development.
He called for collaboration in establishing industries, tourism facilities, agricultural processing centres and shared markets, arguing that economic cooperation would strengthen local economies and improve productivity.
“States within a region can unite to establish joint businesses, share factories, share tourism infrastructure and share markets,” he said.
A Warning Against Wasteful Spending
Makinde criticized what he described as unnecessary official travels, ceremonies and non-essential government activities at a time when many Nigerians are grappling with economic hardship.
He lamented rising unemployment, poverty and the challenges faced by artisans, students and struggling families, insisting that governors must demonstrate compassion through practical economic interventions.
According to him, the solution lies not in political symbolism but in putting productive tools directly into the hands of citizens.
“History Will Remember the Governors Who Invest in Their People”
Concluding his message, the former lawmaker urged governors to embrace what he called a new era of governance rooted in production, innovation and empowerment.
He challenged state leaders to move beyond palliative distributions and create enduring opportunities capable of transforming citizens into business owners, employers of labour and wealth creators.
“Let us move from beautification to empowerment. From commissioning to production. From talk to tangible jobs,” Makinde declared.
With hardship, unemployment and economic uncertainty dominating public discourse nationwide, Makinde’s proposals are likely to reignite conversations about the role of state governments in wealth creation and whether governors can become the driving force behind Nigeria’s next wave of economic growth.
