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“However, the National Assembly has initiated constitutional review processes aimed at enabling restructuring. These efforts represent a formal recognition that the country’s governance framework needs urgent reform to align with its complex diversity. While these steps are commendable, many stakeholders stress that the success of such reforms depends on how transparently and inclusively they are executed.”
Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads in its nationhood. Despite its immense diversity and natural endowments, the country continues to face profound systemic challenges linked to its centralized structure of governance. These challenges manifest in inefficiencies, marginalization, and growing unrest across its various regions. As such, the call for restructuring—specifically, the adoption of a regional governance model—has gained significant traction among leaders, stakeholders, and citizens who believe it holds the key to unity, progress, and sustainable peace.
At the heart of the restructuring debate is the concept of regionalization—a model that decentralizes authority, granting more autonomy to regional governments. For a pluralistic nation like Nigeria, this model offers several compelling advantages:
Cultural Preservation: Regional governance allows each area to preserve and promote its unique cultural heritage, fostering a sense of pride and identity.
Tailored Development: With autonomy, regions can design policies that directly respond to local needs and priorities, enhancing governance outcomes.
Greater Political Participation: Citizens are more likely to engage with regional governments that are closer to their lived realities, boosting accountability and civic involvement. Nevertheless, the journey to regionalization must be managed thoughtfully to avoid issues such as uneven development or coordination challenges between tiers of government.
Widespread Advocacy for Change
Across Nigeria, the push for restructuring has become a unifying theme among a broad coalition of socio-political organizations and regional leaders:
Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) continues to advocate for a return to true federalism, reminiscent of Nigeria’s First Republic. They argue that only through restructuring can the country overcome its deep-rooted governance issues.
Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, has reiterated that restructuring is the most effective response to Nigeria’s social, political, and economic crises.
Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) has also emphasized the urgency of restructuring, stating that a governance model reflective of Nigeria’s diversity is essential for equitable development.
These voices and more reflect a growing consensus that regionalization is not merely a political proposal—it is a necessary foundation for a fairer and more effective nation.
Government Response and Legislative Momentum
Recent developments indicate a shift in the government’s stance toward restructuring:
Many have expected President Bola Tinubu to submit an executive bill to the National Assembly proposing a regional system of governance or better still push for the implementation of the 2014 National Conference report.
However, the National Assembly has initiated constitutional review processes aimed at enabling restructuring. These efforts represent a formal recognition that the country’s governance framework needs urgent reform to align with its complex diversity. While these steps are commendable, many stakeholders stress that the success of such reforms depends on how transparently and inclusively they are executed.
Building the Nigeria We Envision
To actualize the benefits of regionalization, a clear and strategic approach is essential. The following steps are recommended to guide this transformation:
Inclusive National Dialogue: All voices—ethnic groups, civil society organizations, traditional rulers, and political entities—must be engaged in meaningful dialogue to shape the restructuring agenda.
Transparent Legislation: Constitutional amendments should be handled openly, ensuring that citizens have the opportunity to participate and contribute to the process.
Institutional Strengthening: Regional structures and institutions must be developed and capacitated to assume new governance responsibilities effectively.
Fair Resource Allocation: Systems must be designed to guarantee equitable distribution of resources among regions, avoiding the emergence of new inequalities.
Public Awareness Campaigns: Citizens need to be informed about the purpose and benefits of restructuring to foster widespread support and mitigate misinformation.
Nigeria’s future rests on its ability to adapt its governance to the realities of its people. Regionalization offers a pathway that not only honours the nation’s diversity but uses it as a strength to build a more inclusive, accountable, and prosperous society. By embracing restructuring, Nigeria can lay the foundation for enduring unity and peace—unlocking the full potential of its regions for the benefit of all.
“By justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down” – Proverbs 29:4
Prof. Ofonime Emmanuel Bassey, Chairman, South South Zone (comprising Akwa Ibom Cross River Rivers, Balyesa, Delta and Edo States) of Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices. A consummate professional with over thirty (30) years of experience in consulting, peace and conflict management, peace building, security, law enforcement, academia and United Nations peace mission. He is an Apostolic Bishop and the author of more than thirty (30) books. President/Chancellor, NISSI Institute (www.nissiinstitute.net)
For training and consultation, you can reach him via: WhatsApp: +2347065828892 Email: [email protected]
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