A don, Jinadu Adele, on Tuesday underscored the need for inclusive governance in Nigeria, saying it remains the only pathway to national development.

Mr Adele urged the government at all levels to prioritise public interest in their policies and programmes, especially with regard to the local communities.

He made the appeal during the third Edition of the Ehingbeti Blue Economy Hub held in Lagos.

The Ehingbeti Maritime Hub was convened by the Ocean Ambassadors Foundation, founded by Violet Olaitan Williams.

Mr Adele, a retired professor of Political Science, noted that inclusivity would ensure that coastal communities fully benefit from the potential of the marine and blue economy sector. He also emphasised the need for Nigerians to unite and demand accountability from their leaders.

“For the past 25 years, several programmes have been launched with great fanfare, and millions of naira have been spent inaugurating them. Yet, where are we today? There must be something fundamentally wrong,” he stated.

“From Ilubirin to Oworonshoki, massive sand filling is going on without our knowledge of what exactly is happening. The problem is that we have left the initiative in the hands of those who do not have our interests at heart.

“Let us organise ourselves and make it clear to the politicians that it will no longer be business as usual. I am 84 years old, and even with the little time left, I will continue to say, ‘Lagos people, wake up!’” Mr Adele said.

He criticised the neglect of coastal communities, noting that many were still battling with poor water supply, bad roads, inadequate hospitals, and insufficient schools despite Lagos’ enormous investments in infrastructure.

He urged government agencies to always consult community residents before executing projects that affected their environment, saying such inclusion would foster trust and sustainable development.

Mr Adele further expressed concern over the lack of transparency in governance, adding that citizens must become vigilant to protect their democratic rights.

“In other countries, ordinary citizens and local groups defend their votes during elections. Here, we celebrate politicians instead. Unless we organise ourselves and hold leaders accountable, our votes will never truly count,” he said.

He called on Lagos indigenes to rise and chart an indigenous roadmap for the state’s development, rooted in its unique cultural and economic identity.

(NAN)