Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has advocated for a fundamental review of Nigeria's federal system to strengthen institutions and return to the principles of federalism. In his Independence Day message, marking Nigeria's 66th anniversary, Makinde reflected on the country's journey since independence and questioned the effectiveness of the federal structure inherited from the nation's founding fathers. He emphasized that Independence Day should be a period for celebration and an opportunity for Nigerians to examine the state of the country.
Makinde argued that nations face new challenges as generations change, and strong institutions are necessary to respond effectively to these challenges. He stated that Nigeria must protect and strengthen the federal system, giving sub-national governments the authority and resources to address issues within their jurisdictions. The governor questioned the current structure, asking if it allowed the country to function effectively as a federation, citing instances where state governments identified problems but lacked the constitutional authority to act.
The governor highlighted the limitations of the current structure, which affects security, infrastructure development, job creation, exploitation of natural resources, and local economy growth. He shared his experience as governor of Oyo State, where his administration knew what needed to be done but couldn't act fully due to powers being outside their control. Makinde maintained that this arrangement was not the most efficient way to govern a country with over 200 million people.
Makinde linked his argument to his proposed "Reset Nigeria" agenda, which aims to identify institutional weaknesses and make necessary changes to improve governance. He emphasized that the idea is about returning to fundamentals, identifying what's no longer working, and making changes to get the system working again. The governor also cautioned against measuring national progress solely through economic statistics, saying improved GDP growth must translate into better living conditions for Nigerians.
Makinde stressed that economic growth must be tangible, asking what it would mean to Nigerians struggling to afford basic necessities. He emphasized that numbers must translate into something people can feel in their everyday lives. The governor expressed confidence in Nigeria's potential, saying the country could work if the right institutions were built and strengthened. He concluded that his vision of resetting Nigeria was ultimately about creating a country where government worked for all citizens.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, Makinde said the Reset Agenda would focus on measurable targets, with Nigerians expected to know what the proposed administration intended to achieve and how progress would be measured. He stated that one term in office would be sufficient to undertake an institutional reset across key sectors. The governor expressed confidence that Nigeria can work if the right institutions are built and strengthened.
Makinde's call for a federalism reset is a renewed effort to address Nigeria's developmental challenges. He emphasized that Nigeria will work when the institutions that make progress possible are built and strengthened. The governor's vision for resetting Nigeria is about creating a country where government works for every Nigerian, and he remains convinced that this is achievable.
Key points
- Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, calls for a review of Nigeria's federal system.
- Makinde proposes a "Reset Nigeria" agenda to address institutional weaknesses.
- The governor emphasizes that economic growth must translate into better living conditions for Nigerians.
