By Opeyemi Okeowo.
Chief Sunday Dare has called for stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors to strengthen grassroots governance and promote sustainable development at the 2026 Gazelle News Annual Public Lecture and Awards held on Wednesday at the Radisson Blu Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.
Speaking on the theme, “Driving Grassroots Governance with Public-Private Partnership: The Gains, The Pains, The Prospects,” the former Minister of Youth and Sports Development said meaningful national development begins at the grassroots, where citizens experience government most directly.
He stressed that the government alone cannot meet the developmental needs of communities and therefore requires strategic partnerships with the private sector, public institutions and local communities.
According to Chief Dare, true development should not be measured by the number of skyscrapers in major cities but by the quality of education, healthcare, roads, security and economic opportunities available to people at the grassroots.
“Nigeria’s greatest opportunity does not reside solely in Abuja or our state capitals. It resides in our wards, our villages, and our towns. That is where governance must be felt, and where prosperity must begin,” he said.,
Dare described the recent autonomy granted to local governments as a significant milestone capable of transforming governance across the country if properly managed.
He, however, noted that autonomy should not be regarded as an end in itself but as an opportunity that demands greater transparency, accountability and innovation.
“Autonomy should not be viewed as an end in itself. It is an opportunity—and with that opportunity comes greater responsibility,” he stated.
He explained that Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) should be viewed beyond infrastructure development, describing them as a governance philosophy that encourages collaboration among government, businesses, civil society and communities to solve public challenges.
According to him, effective partnerships would improve access to resources, stimulate innovation, create employment opportunities, strengthen service delivery and restore public confidence in government institutions.
Despite these opportunities, Chief Sunday Dare also acknowledged that several challenges continue to hinder grassroots governance, including weak institutional capacity, transparency gaps, policy inconsistency, political transitions and declining public trust.
He observed that many local government councils lack the technical expertise required to negotiate complex partnerships while frequent policy changes discourage long-term investment.
However, to address these challenges, he recommended strengthening local government institutions through capacity building, establishing transparent procurement systems, encouraging active community participation, integrating technology into governance and measuring development by improvements in citizens’ quality of life rather than physical infrastructure alone.
He further stressed that leadership remains the deciding factor in achieving sustainable development, noting that successful leaders are those who bring government, the private sector and communities together to pursue common goals.
He emphasized this by saying “Let us embrace partnership—not as an option, but as the primary pathway to a resilient, inclusive, and prosperous Nigeria.”
Earlier, the Publisher of Gazelle News, Musibau Ademola Rasaq, welcomed guests and dignitaries to the annual lecture, stating that the event was organized to promote meaningful dialogue on issues affecting governance and national development.
He noted that the annual lecture has continued to provide a platform for policymakers, media practitioners, corporate leaders and development experts to exchange ideas capable of strengthening democratic governance.
The Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, represented by former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, apologized for the Deputy Governor’s absence, explaining that he was attending to residents affected by the heavy rainfall experienced across Lagos State.
Obanikoro described grassroots governance as the level where citizens interact most closely with government, stressing that effective collaboration between government institutions and private organizations remains essential to addressing development challenges at the local level.
“Development is more sustainable when people have a share in shaping it,” he said while encouraging greater citizen participation in governance.
The lecture attracted government officials, lawmakers, traditional rulers, media practitioners, corporate executives, development partners, students and members of the public, who participated in discussions on strengthening local government administration through effective public-private collaboration.
The event also featured the presentation of awards to distinguished Nigerians in recognition of their outstanding contributions to governance, leadership, public service and national development.
Among those honored was Comrade Mukutaru Gidado, who received an award on behalf of the Governor of Bauchi State, while Baba Asiwaju Olorunfemi Bashorun was also recognized for his contributions to public service and leadership.
The 2026 Gazelle News Annual Public Lecture and Awards concluded with renewed calls for stronger collaboration among governments, businesses, civil society organizations and citizens to build transparent, accountable and inclusive governance capable of improving the lives of Nigerians at the grassroots.(NAN).
