Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has called on President Bola Tinubu to go beyond rhetoric and take decisive action to address the rising poverty levels across Nigeria.

Falana’s comments follow Tinubu’s recent remarks during a meeting with All Progressives Congress (APC) governors, where the President acknowledged the country’s economic challenges, reportedly saying: “To you, the governors, you must wet the grass more and deliver progressive change to Nigerians. May God bless our democracy and grant us more fertile lands.”

In a statement issued on Sunday, Falana said Nigerians continue to suffer at the grassroots and that mere appeals to state governors will not resolve the deepening hardship.

“Instead of begging state governments to ‘wet ground more’, President Bola Tinubu is urged to ensure that the National Social Investment Programme Agency Act is adopted and enacted into law by the 36 state governments,” Falana said.

The senior advocate criticised the federal and state governments for prioritising cosmetic expenditures over social welfare, citing ongoing spending on state house renovations as misplaced.

“Governments at all levels should focus on implementing impactful social policies to alleviate the suffering of the masses,” he said.

Falana urged the Tinubu administration to show leadership by fully funding existing social welfare programmes, rather than shifting responsibility to governors.