Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, the esteemed President of the African Development Bank Group, has put forward a visionary proposal to rechristen the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the “United States of Nigeria.” This bold suggestion was made public through a statement by his Special Adviser on Industrialisation, Prof. Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, highlighting a significant stride towards redefining Nigeria’s federal structure and governance approach.
The proposal came to light in Adesina’s address entitled “Making a New Nigeria: Welfarist Policies and People-Centred Development,” delivered upon his receipt of the prestigious 2024 Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership. Adesina emphasized that the adoption of the new name would serve not only as a symbolic change but as a foundational shift in the power dynamics between the Nigerian states and the central government in Abuja. He advocates for a system where the states act as the cornerstone of governance, with the federal center providing support rather than dictating terms.
Adesina’s vision is grounded in the belief that the path to a prosperous and more cohesive Nigeria lies through a restructuring process anchored in economic and financial sustainability. This restructuring, he asserts, necessitates constitutional amendments to transfer greater economic and fiscal autonomy to the states or regions, bolstering their capacity to act as robust federated units within the nation.
Highlighting the challenges facing Nigeria, Adesina pointed out the high implicit tax rates shouldered by Nigerians due to government and institutional failures to deliver basic services. This burden, he argues, underscores the urgency for transformative leadership and governance reforms that prioritize economic viability and efficiency over political convenience.
Echoing the legacy of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, a figure renowned for his visionary leadership and reformative policies, Adesina calls for a new generation of leaders to embrace bold and innovative decisions for the country’s future. Through this proposal, Adesina aims to ignite a nationwide movement towards hope, driven by a collective desire for a more equitable, prosperous, and united Nigeria.
