Former Minister of Works and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Babatunde Fashola, has called for stronger law enforcement, improved public accountability and a renewed focus on security as essential elements of effective governance in Nigeria.
Fashola made the remarks while delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch, in Lagos.
Speaking on the theme, “Law, Leadership and the Ballot: Governance Beyond Politics,” the former Lagos State governor emphasised that security and the rule of law are fundamental to economic growth and national development. He urged governments at all levels to move beyond political rhetoric and concentrate on enforcing existing laws and fulfilling their constitutional responsibilities.
According to Fashola, the Constitution identifies the security and welfare of citizens as the primary purpose of government, making public safety the foremost indicator of good governance. He noted that societies with effective law enforcement are more likely to attract investment, encourage entrepreneurship and foster prosperity.
“Security and prosperity are inseparable,” he said, stressing the need for effective crime prevention, diligent prosecution of offenders and a justice system that safeguards law-abiding citizens.
Fashola also expressed concern that Attorneys-General often leave public communication on major criminal incidents to presidents and governors despite their critical role in the justice system. He challenged legal practitioners to become more actively involved in public security issues and policy discussions.
He further advocated stronger collaboration among the executive, legislative and judicial arms of government to ensure coordinated responses to criminality, strengthen deterrence and reinforce public confidence in the rule of law.
Highlighting the impact of poor compliance with existing regulations, Fashola cited the widespread use of vehicles without registration plates. He described vehicle identification as a basic but vital law enforcement tool that helps authorities track offenders and investigate crimes. Permitting vehicles to operate without proper identification, he warned, weakens accountability and compromises public safety.
The former governor called for stricter enforcement of vehicle registration laws and urged citizens to comply with legal requirements regardless of their social or economic status.
On governance, Fashola argued that democracy alone does not guarantee effective leadership. He maintained that governments must consistently engage citizens, gather reliable data and align policies and public spending with the needs and priorities of the people.
Drawing from his tenure as governor of Lagos State, he recalled conducting statewide surveys to better understand citizens’ concerns and using the findings to shape budgetary and policy decisions. He stressed that governance should be driven by evidence-based decision-making rather than assumptions or political considerations.
Fashola also underscored the responsibilities of citizens within the social contract, including obeying laws, paying taxes and supporting law enforcement efforts. Good governance, he concluded, requires a shared commitment from both government and the governed.
