Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Radda, has urged Nigerians to stop directing public anger solely at state governors and local government chairmen over the country’s worsening economic hardship, stating that the Federal Government controls more than half of the monthly Federation Account revenue.
The governor made the remarks during an interview on Radio France Internationale (RFI) Hausa, where he explained that Nigeria’s revenue-sharing formula structurally favours the Federal Government, leaving states and local governments with a smaller share despite rising public expectations and expanding responsibilities.
Ejes Gist News reports that the comments come amid sustained scrutiny of subnational governments following the removal of fuel subsidy and the consequent increase in statutory allocations.
Revenue Allocation Formula at the Centre of Debate
Governor Radda said public frustration often targets governors because citizens assume state governments receive the bulk of national revenue. He rejected that assumption, citing the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) sharing formula.
According to him, the Federal Government receives 52 per cent of federation revenue, while the remaining 48 per cent is shared among the 36 states and 774 local government areas.
“Whenever there is hardship, people blame governors and local governments,” Radda said. “But when revenue is shared, 52 per cent goes to the Federal Government. It is the remaining 48 per cent that is shared among the 36 states and 774 local governments.”
He added that this structure has been in place for decades, arguing that Nigerians should interrogate how the larger federal share has been deployed over time.
“For decades, the Federal Government has been receiving the larger share of federation revenue,” the governor said. “So the question Nigerians should be asking is: where has the bulk of that money gone?”
Context: Post-Subsidy Pressure on State Governments
The governor’s comments come against the backdrop of economic reforms that significantly altered Nigeria’s fiscal landscape, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy. While the policy led to increased monthly FAAC disbursements, it also triggered sharp increases in transport costs, food prices, and general living expenses.
As hardship intensified, public discourse increasingly focused on state governments, with demands for greater transparency on how additional allocations were being spent. Several civil society organisations and labour groups have questioned whether higher revenues have translated into improved welfare for citizens.
Governor Radda acknowledged the pressure but insisted that the scale of challenges facing states has expanded alongside revenue increases. He pointed to rising wage bills, higher costs of governance, security demands, and social welfare obligations as factors consuming state resources.
Federal Dominance in Fiscal Control
Beyond the percentage share of revenue, Radda’s argument also touches on the broader issue of fiscal centralisation in Nigeria. The Federal Government controls major revenue sources, including crude oil sales, customs duties, company income tax, and value-added tax administration.
States largely depend on monthly FAAC allocations and internally generated revenue (IGR), which varies widely across the federation. Many northern states, including Katsina, rely heavily on federal transfers due to limited industrial bases and security challenges that constrain economic activity.
By highlighting the 52 per cent federal share, Radda positioned the hardship debate within a structural framework rather than individual governance failures at the state level.
Corruption Allegations and Individual Accountability
The Katsina governor also addressed widespread allegations of corruption against political office holders, particularly governors. He cautioned against broad generalisations, arguing that leadership performance and integrity should be assessed on an individual basis.
“Leadership is about individual integrity,” Radda said. “It is wrong to generalise and label everyone the same way.”
He maintained that not all elected officials engage in corrupt practices and that accountability mechanisms should focus on specific actions rather than blanket accusations.
“Public office holders would ultimately be held accountable for their actions,” he added.
This stance reflects ongoing national debates about governance, transparency, and trust in public institutions, especially during periods of economic strain when public scrutiny tends to intensify.
Defence of Capital Spending Amid Hardship
Governor Radda used the interview to defend his administration’s continued investment in capital projects, despite criticisms that governments should prioritise direct palliatives during economic downturns.
He argued that infrastructure development remains one of the fastest and most sustainable ways to stimulate grassroots economic activity.
“When you execute capital projects, you create jobs and bring money down to the people at the grassroots,” he said. “Labourers earn wages, food vendors make sales, and suppliers benefit.”
According to the governor, capital spending creates a multiplier effect that spreads across local economies, supporting households beyond the immediate beneficiaries of government contracts.
Economic Activity at the Local Government Level
Radda said the impact of Katsina State’s capital investments is already visible across local government areas. He claimed that funds released for projects have translated into increased commercial activity in rural communities.
“If you go to the local governments today, you will see a lot of economic activity because funds have reached the communities,” he said.
The governor’s assertion aligns with development economics arguments that public works can serve as short-term economic stabilisers while also delivering long-term infrastructure benefits.
Public Expectations and Governance Realities
The comments reflect the growing tension between public expectations and governance realities in Nigeria’s federal system. Citizens often expect immediate relief from state governments, which are closer to the people and more visible than federal institutions.
However, governors frequently argue that limited fiscal autonomy and resource constraints restrict their ability to address nationwide economic shocks.
Radda’s remarks underscore this disconnect, suggesting that public discourse has not fully accounted for the distribution of fiscal power within the federation.
Calls for Broader National Accountability
By shifting attention to the Federal Government’s share of revenue, the Katsina governor implicitly called for broader national accountability. His comments suggest that economic hardship should be examined through the lens of intergovernmental relations, policy choices, and long-term fiscal management.
Analysts note that debates over revenue sharing and fiscal federalism have persisted since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule, with repeated calls for constitutional and policy reforms to grant states greater control over resources.
Mixed Reactions Likely
While supporters may view Radda’s comments as a factual clarification of Nigeria’s revenue structure, critics are likely to argue that state governments still bear responsibility for prudent spending, transparency, and service delivery within their jurisdictions.
Public reaction to such statements often reflects broader political and regional sentiments, especially during periods of economic difficulty.
Broader Implications for Federalism Debate
Governor Radda’s intervention adds to the ongoing national conversation about restructuring, fiscal decentralisation, and the balance of power between federal and subnational governments.
The question of who controls resources, who spends them, and who is accountable for outcomes remains central to Nigeria’s governance challenges.
As economic pressures persist, such debates are expected to intensify, with citizens demanding clearer explanations and measurable results from all tiers of government.
Background on Governor Dikko Radda
Malam Dikko Radda is the elected governor of Katsina State, a predominantly agrarian state in Nigeria’s North-West geopolitical zone. His administration has prioritised agriculture, infrastructure, and security amid challenges posed by banditry and economic volatility.
His comments on federation revenue reflect a broader effort by state leaders to contextualise governance constraints while responding to public dissatisfaction.
The hardship facing Nigerians has become a defining issue in public discourse, cutting across political affiliations and regions. Statements such as Radda’s highlight the complexity of assigning responsibility within a federal system where revenue collection and spending authority are unevenly distributed.
As discussions continue, attention remains focused on how resources are allocated, managed, and translated into tangible improvements in living standards across the country.
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