Former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, believes it’s time for Nigeria to reconsider its governance structure.

Agbakoba noted that the country has been operating within an ineffective system for too long.

He advised that there should be a governance structure where governors have the authority to lead their states and local communities are able to contribute to the affairs of the state.

On Thursday, August 15, 2024, Agbakoba stated that too much power has been centralized in Abuja, limiting the authority of the states and regions, thereby calling for a constitutional reform that allows power to be distributed.

Agbakoba’s words: ‘It’s time to reconsider Nigeria’s governance structure. We’ve been operating within a system that has been ineffective for far too long. Too much power has been centralised in Abuja, limiting the authority of states and regions and stifling their power. We need to go back to basics with a constitutional reform that truly redistributes power, empowering states to drive their own development.

“History has taught us a valuable lesson. In 340 AD, Roman Emperor Diocletian believed that his empire was too vast for one person to effectively govern. What did he do? He appointed four co-emperors, decentralising power and allowing the Roman Empire to thrive for another 1,500 years! This is the bold action required in Nigeria.

“We should aim for a governance structure where governors have the authority to lead their states, local communities have a say in their affairs, and decision-making is closer to the people it affects.

“The National Assembly holds the key to making this change. We need a constitutional reform that recalibrates the balance of power and allows real strong political and economic development to take hold in Nigeria.”