Senior lawyer and Principal of Chinenye Chambers, Amobi Nzelu, has called for a fundamental restructuring of Nigeria's federal system. He argues that the concentration of powers and resources in the Federal Government has constrained development and weakened the capacity of states and regions to address their peculiar challenges. Nzelu made the call in an Independence Day interview as Nigeria marked its 66th anniversary.
Nzelu expressed concern over Nigeria's development trajectory, leadership priorities, rising debt burden, and economic hardship confronting citizens. He argued that Nigeria would achieve meaningful development if it returned to a system that gave federating units greater autonomy, control over their resources, and responsibility for addressing local needs. The current federal arrangement, he claims, places excessive authority in Abuja, leaving states with limited room to independently pursue development strategies.
According to Nzelu, a review of the country's political and economic structure, accompanied by accountable leadership and responsible management of public resources, would provide a stronger foundation for national development. He pointed to Nigeria's political history, noting that the country gained independence in 1960 under a federal parliamentary system comprising the Northern, Western, and Eastern regions, which exercised substantial autonomy over their internal affairs.
Nzelu argued that revisiting the principles of devolution of powers and resource control would enable states to take greater responsibility for their development rather than depend heavily on allocations from the Federation Account. He maintained that a more decentralised system could encourage innovation, improve accountability, and allow subnational governments to respond more effectively to the needs of their populations.
Nzelu also expressed concern over Nigeria's debt burden, questioning why a country endowed with substantial natural and human resources continued to rely heavily on borrowing to finance government expenditure. He called for greater transparency in public borrowing, insisting that debt decisions should be guided by national interest and measurable development outcomes.
The senior lawyer urged President Bola Tinubu to review his administration's approach to governance and national challenges, placing the welfare of Nigerians at the centre of policy decisions. He advocated a leadership style with a "human face", arguing that government policies should reflect the realities of ordinary Nigerians rather than focus primarily on political calculations or considerations of personal interest.
Despite concerns about Nigeria's development challenges, Nzelu expressed optimism that the country could overcome its difficulties if leaders and citizens recommitted themselves to accountability, patriotism, and national development. He emphasised the importance of responsible leadership, prudent management of public resources, and a political system that encourages public officials to answer for their decisions.
Key points
- Amobi Nzelu calls for a fundamental restructuring of Nigeria's federal system to give states greater autonomy and control over resources.
- Nzelu expresses concern over Nigeria's debt burden and urges greater transparency in public borrowing.
- The senior lawyer urges President Bola Tinubu to prioritise citizens' welfare in policy decisions.
