Former President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, has issued a renewed and urgent call for the restructuring of Nigeria, warning that the country risks disintegration if significant constitutional reforms are not undertaken before the 2027 general elections.
Nwodo made the statement in Abuja during the public presentation of two books authored by veteran journalist Ike Abonye. Delivering a keynote address titled “How Did We Get Here?”, the elder statesman emphasized that Nigeria must revert to true federalism if it is to achieve sustainable unity, peace, and development.
“Nigeria must restructure and grant its constituent units full control over their natural resources,” he stated, “provided they remit taxes or royalties to the federal government for core national responsibilities such as defence, foreign affairs, customs, and immigration.”
He stressed that such decentralization is essential for national survival, warning that continued centralization and misgovernance could push the country to a breaking point.
“These are irreducible minimum conditions. If they are not implemented, the only remaining option will be to go our separate ways,” Nwodo declared, drawing loud applause from the audience.
Decentralization and Development
Nwodo, who previously served as Nigeria’s Minister of Information, argued that Nigeria’s current governance structure stifles innovation and development across the states. He noted that allowing states or regions to manage their resources, security, and economic policies would fast-track growth and reduce over-dependence on the central government.
He advocated for the establishment of state police, insisting that a decentralized security framework would be more responsive to the diverse challenges facing various regions.
Focus on Agriculture, Education, and Infrastructure
The elder statesman also called for strategic investments in agriculture and education, with a particular emphasis on digital literacy, innovation, and technical skills development to equip young Nigerians for the demands of the 21st-century economy.
He criticized Nigeria’s deteriorating infrastructure and economic outlook, citing alarming statistics to back his claims. According to the United Nations World Population Prospects, Nigeria now has the lowest life expectancy globally 54.8 years.
Nwodo also referenced a BusinessDay investigation, which painted a grim picture of the country’s road infrastructure. He lamented the economic consequences of poorly maintained roads, pointing to a 2022 World Bank report that estimated Nigeria loses $1 billion annually due to the state of its road networks.
“A nation struggling with rising inflation and shrinking capital expenditure cannot afford such waste,” he said.
He noted that over 90% of goods and people in Nigeria are transported via road, meaning the impact of bad roads cuts across every sector particularly agriculture. Post-harvest losses are especially severe, with up to 40% of farm produce never reaching consumers.
Mounting Debt and Fiscal Concerns
Touching on Nigeria’s debt burden, Nwodo revealed that the country's public debt had soared to $94 billion by December 2024. With continued borrowing under the Bola Tinubu administration, he warned that the national debt could soon reach ₦183 trillion, placing additional strain on an already fragile economy.
He concluded by urging political leaders, civil society, and citizens to unite around the call for urgent constitutional reforms, describing restructuring as the last chance to preserve the country’s unity and stability.
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