Governors should stop relying on FG for emergency funds – Mohammed

A governance strategist and policy entrepreneur, Murtala Adogi Mohammed, has called on state governors to develop strategic plans and set aside adequate funds for emergencies instead of relying on the federal government whenever crises occur.

Mohammed said the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the poor emergency preparedness of many states, recalling that governors had to approach the then president for financial assistance during the health crisis.

He stated that each state received N1bn from the federal government to support its response to the pandemic.

Mohammed spoke in Abuja during a fireside chat to mark his 50th birthday and the launch of his book, ‘Disruptive Governance’.

He said the experience during the pandemic made him realise the need for states to develop comprehensive strategic plans that include crisis and emergency responses.

“I began to think that if we’re going to have another COVID-19, it means governors may likely run back to the President again,” he said.

Mohammed said he began writing the book in 2019 but paused before resuming it in 2022. He completed it in February 2026.

He urged newly elected governors to focus on three priorities at the beginning of their tenure: developing a strategic plan, reviewing the budget and assembling a competent technical team.

He said governors must assess the resources available to their states against their development plans and determine whether supplementary funding, loans or public-private partnerships would be needed.

He also advised governors to strike a balance between competence and political loyalty when making appointments, taking into consideration the political and demographic peculiarities of their states.

Mohammed recommended that governors prioritise competent professionals during the first two years of their tenure before bringing in more political actors as elections approach.