By Olayiwola Rasheed Jebba Hamilton
Still on his poignant Democracy Day presentation addressing critical national issues, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon (Dr) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, made a strong case for a radical devolution of powers and resources as the path to unlocking Nigeria’s true potential. Citing the nation’s founders’ vision of competitive federalism as the appropriate framework, Obasa made a compelling argument for dismantling the current inefficient unitary system and embracing a bold restructuring agenda.
“Our founding fathers negotiated competitive federalism as the appropriate framework for Nigeria,” Obasa declared. “Since the military incursion, we have tried hard to develop with unitary federalism and still moving in circles. It is an oxymoron to repeat the same thing and expect a different result.”
Indeed, Obasa’s foregoing remarks resonated with the long-standing demands of various influential socio-cultural groups in Nigeria, including Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, PANDEF, and the Middle Belt Forum, who have consistently advocated for fiscal federalism as the key to Nigeria’s sustainable future. Even the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had, in its 2015 manifesto, identified the “obtuse and inefficient Abuja” as a constraint and promised to restructure Nigeria.
At the heart of Obasa’s proposal is a radical devolution of powers and resources to the States, with the Federal Government relinquishing much of its control over the Exclusive List. He envisioned a system where States receive sixty-to-sixty-five percent (60-65%) of the revenue, enabling them to take charge of their own destinies and fostering cooperative competition. “We need to tinker with the fiscal powers of the Federal and State Governments, devolve much of the responsibilities under the Exclusive List to the States and at least sixty-to-sixty-five percent (60-65%) of the revenue to the States,” Obasa asserted.
He also believes President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership offers a ray of hope, but the road ahead won’t be easy. It will require sacrifice from everyone. Yet, Obasa remain an optimist. He sees Nigeria’s youth as a force that can propel the nation into the future as a global powerhouse.
Without a doubt, Rt. Hon (Dr) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa’s submission has reignited the discourse on restructuring and fiscal federalism, offering a radical yet pragmatic blueprint for Nigeria’s recovery. As the nation stands at a crossroads, Obasa’s insistent argument challenges Nigerians and their leaders to confront the hard truths and embrace the bold actions necessary to build a competitive and compassionate federal system – a system that could finally unlock the nation’s vast potential and set it on a trajectory of recovery and sustainable development.
So, let our leaders from the Federal level to States, from policy makers to the policy actors, from the private sector players to civil society groups, get into action and make Nigeria work by taking a cue from Obasa’s well-articulated suggestions.
Olayiwola Rasheed Jebba Hamilton, is the Special Adviser On Environment, Information and Civic Engagement to the Executive Chairman Agege Local Government.
