Nigeria, a nation teeming with potential, finds itself at a critical juncture. The persistent calls for restructuring grow louder by the day, yet the reluctance to take bold action threatens to push the country further into peril.

Delaying restructuring is not just a missed opportunity, but a dangerous gamble with Nigeria’s future.

President Bola Tinubu must initiate the necessary process to achieve true federalism through political restructuring. The current centralised structure stifles regional economic development, with states relying heavily on federal allocations, largely funded by oil revenues.

This dependence on a single resource exposes Nigeria to financial volatility, as seen during global oil price fluctuations.

Historically, Nigeria adopted federalism at independence in 1960, but the military’s unitary system decree in 1966 has failed woefully. The 1999 Constitution illogically made local governments, not federating units in other federal systems, the third tier of government.

We urge President Tinubu to take decisive action, embracing true federalism to unlock Nigeria’s full potential. The future of Africa’s largest economy depends on it.

The call for restructuring resurged during a Lagos colloquium marking the 31st anniversary of the June 12, 1993, elections.

Emeka Anyaoku, a former top Commonwealth diplomat, proposed two paths for restructuring: a new constitution by the people or implementation of the 2014 confab report.

Anyaoku emphasised the success of pluralistic nations that adopt people-centric constitutions, contrasting them with those that fail. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos endorsed restructuring, criticising the dominant role of the Federal Government over the federating units.

Nigeria’s political landscape is marred by ethnic and regional tensions. Centralised power often breeds feelings of marginalisation and disenfranchisement among diverse groups, leading to recurring conflicts. Delaying restructuring risks worsening these tensions.

Each postponement signals to marginalised groups that their grievances are ignored, potentially fueling more unrest and instability.

Nigeria faces profound political challenges, underscored by its increasingly complex security landscape.

The country’s security issues are diverse and regionally distinct, requiring nuanced approaches that a centralised system struggles to deliver effectively.

From the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East to clashes between herders and farmers and unrest in the Niger Delta, each region grapples with unique security threats demanding tailored responses. A uniform approach has proven inadequate.

Centralised governance has exacerbated bureaucratic inefficiencies and diminished accountability.

Nigeria’s cultural and ethnic diversity, intended as a source of strength, often fosters division due to insufficient autonomy for federating units to preserve their identities. This gap fuels feelings of alienation.

Delaying restructuring denies states the ability to innovate and improve essential services, hindering national development. Continued inaction risks deepening existing challenges, fostering disillusionment among citizens and complicating future reform efforts.

Economic stagnation, insecurity, governance inefficiencies, social fragmentation, and inadequate public services are direct consequences of Nigeria’s faltering political will. Each day of delay brings the nation closer to crisis.

The urgency for decisive action is clear. Restructuring is not merely an option but a necessity to secure Nigeria’s future and unleash its full potential. The risks of further delay are too severe to overlook.

Nigeria must act promptly to prevent irreversible consequences. Nigeria stands at a critical juncture, grappling with profound challenges that demand immediate attention. The call for restructuring reverberates across the nation, underscored by its urgent necessity rather than a mere option. The current state of affairs imperils Nigeria’s future, and the risks of prolonged inaction are too grave to disregard.

Restructuring is not just about reform; it is a fundamental requirement to unlock Nigeria’s vast potential and ensure sustainable development.

The centralisation of power has stifled regional growth and autonomy, leaving states overly reliant on unstable oil revenues and hindering diversified economic progress. This dependency exposes Nigeria to financial volatility and limits opportunities for inclusive prosperity.

Ethnic and regional tensions exacerbate political instability, underscoring the failure of the unitary system imposed by military rule in 1966.

The resulting sense of marginalisation fuels recurring conflicts and inhibits national cohesion.

Delaying restructuring perpetuates this cycle of discontent, undermining efforts to address deep-rooted grievances and fostering disillusionment among diverse communities.

Moreover, Nigeria’s security landscape presents a complex challenge that a centralised approach fails to adequately address.

From Boko Haram in the North-East to communal clashes over land use in the Middle Belt and militancy in the Niger Delta, each region requires tailored security measures and local governance solutions. Ignoring these demands for autonomy further compounds security risks and undermines national unity.

In governance, the current system breeds inefficiency and undermines accountability. Bureaucratic hurdles and a lack of responsiveness to local needs hinder effective service delivery and perpetuate systemic corruption.

This governance deficit not only erodes public trust but also obstructs efforts to improve education, healthcare, and infrastructure—essential components for human capital development and economic growth.

Nigeria’s rich cultural diversity should be a source of strength, yet under the current framework, it often becomes a source of division.

Federating units lack the autonomy to preserve and promote their unique cultural heritage, fostering a sense of alienation and impeding social cohesion. By delaying restructuring, Nigeria denies itself the opportunity to harness this diversity as a catalyst for national progress.

The consequences of inertia are starkly evident: economic stagnation, heightened insecurity, social fragmentation, and inadequate public services. Each day of delay deepens these challenges, placing Nigeria at the brink of further crisis. The time for decisive action is now—before the window for meaningful reform closes irreversibly.

Embracing restructuring is not just a strategic choice but an urgent necessity to safeguard Nigeria’s future. It requires bold leadership and concerted efforts to dismantle barriers to progress, empower local communities, and foster inclusive governance.

The path ahead demands courage and vision to navigate the complexities of reform and unlock Nigeria’s full potential as a prosperous, stable, and united nation.

The recent cholera outbreak in Nigeria has sparked concerns, particularly in Lagos and several other states. The National Biosafety Management Agency has urged the public to exercise extreme caution amidst reports of 30 fatalities and 1,141 suspected cases.

Enhanced hygiene measures are crucial at this time, alongside concerted government efforts to aid those affected.

The outbreak has affected Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, Nasarawa, and Lagos, raising fears of potential further spread.

With the upcoming Salah celebrations, it is imperative for Nigerians to grasp the seriousness of the situation and implement immediate preventive actions to safeguard themselves and their families.

Cholera, caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, spreads through contaminated food and water in unsanitary conditions. Symptoms such as severe diarrhea, vomiting, and rapid dehydration necessitate prompt medical attention to prevent fatalities.

While cholera has been eradicated in more developed regions for over a century, it remains a periodic challenge in Nigeria, largely due to poverty and inadequate hygiene practices, according to the Global Task Force on Cholera Control.

The World Health Organisation reported cholera outbreaks in 23 countries across Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean in 2021, a number that rose to 29 countries in 2022.

In response, the NBMA, working closely with health authorities, is actively monitoring and implementing measures to contain the spread of the disease. Director-General Agnes Asagbra stressed the importance of individual and community actions in combating the outbreak.

Nigerians are urged to ensure all drinking water is boiled or purified using approved methods. Maintaining proper hand hygiene is critical: hands should be washed thoroughly with soap and water before eating, preparing food, and after using the toilet to reduce infection risks.

Additionally, food should be cooked thoroughly and consumed hot, while raw foods like fruits and vegetables should only be consumed if they can be peeled or washed with safe water. It is advisable to avoid fruits that cannot be peeled at this time.

Maintaining clean environments and proper waste disposal are crucial in preventing contamination and combating cholera outbreaks.

While individual efforts are vital, effective government intervention is equally essential. State governors, health commissioners, and relevant authorities must establish robust health surveillance systems to promptly detect and respond to outbreaks. Public awareness campaigns should intensify to educate citizens on cholera prevention and the significance of hygiene practices.

Governments must ensure all communities access clean, safe drinking water by establishing emergency purification stations in affected areas and improving existing water infrastructure. Continuous water provision throughout the year is imperative.

Healthcare facilities need adequate supplies and trained personnel to manage cholera cases, including rehydration solutions and antibiotics. Collaboration with international health organisations can offer additional resources and expertise to effectively contain outbreaks.

Health commissioners must act proactively to prevent fatalities, implementing timely interventions and maintaining transparent communication with the public. There should be zero tolerance for open defecation, a significant contributor to cholera outbreaks.

Governments must enforce regulations against public defecation, provide secure public toilet facilities with running water, and ensure their maintenance.

The recent cholera outbreak in Lagos underscores the urgent need for collective action and responsibility in safeguarding public health across Nigeria. By adhering to hygiene protocols and implementing comprehensive preventive measures, we can protect communities and overcome this challenge together.

The cholera outbreak constitutes a public health emergency demanding urgent and thorough intervention. Nigeria can mitigate further losses by promoting hygiene practices, ensuring access to clean water, and sustaining a vigilant health surveillance system.

It is important that Nigerians heed the NBMA’s warning and collectively assume responsibility for their health and safety.

Addressing cholera requires a united effort from the government, health authorities, and citizens alike. The time for action is immediate.

Nigeria may have celebrated twenty-five years of unbroken democracy, but how have its citizens fared? It is no longer news that Nigeria and Nigerians are passing through one of the worst times in the history of the country, with high cost of living, abject poverty staring them in the face.

No wonder pundits and well-meaning Nigerians, especially the youths defied threats of harassment and possible arrest by. security operatives in Lagos, Ogun, Osun and Oyo States, among others to protest against hardship induced by bad leadership that has impoverished the entire nation since 1999.

It is important to mention that Nigeria gained independence from the British colonial masters on October, 1 1960 and has since been ruled by Nigerians. The first, second and third republics are testimonials to that claim. So celebrating just twenty-five years of democracy could amount to half truth.

But what has changed? The economic indices of  the 1960s are still very much with us today. Epileptic power supply, unemployment, inflation, insecurity, among several others that are still staring us on the face.

So what are we really celebrating? Yes, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu has catalogued the sacrifices made by Nigerians, some even paid supreme price with their lives to preserve democracy, but what have we, the immediate beneficiaries of the struggle done to protect it?

Everybody craves the preservation of democracy, often referred to as nascent in Nigeria, but a sixty-three-year old man cannot be said to be underraged. Let us therefore stop hiding under nascence to defend our inadequacy or outright failure.

We strongly disagree that at sixty-three, Nigeria should remain underdeveloped to the extent that electricity supply is nothing remarkable, unemployment holding sway, road networks deplorable, insecurity a perpetual challenge, and worse still, high cost of living at its peak.

What has happened to the resumption of production by our refineries, especially Port Harcourt Refinery? Dangote Refinery is on everyone’s lips. If an individual can build a refinery within a reasonable time frame, why can’t a nation do better? It amounts to absolute failure on the part of the leaders.

What has happened to the textile industry that employed a whole chunk of the population? What about manufacturing companies such as Michelin, Dunlop, Nigerian Engineering Works (NEW), CFAO, SCOA Motors etc?

If we cannot provide an enabling environment for business to thrive, which forces most of these foreign companies to relocate to other countries, let us establish our own local companies that can run without electricity.  It is disturbing that some fundamental projects that can serve as catalyst to Nigeria’s industrialisation, such as the Ajaokuta Steel Industry, Kogi State, Aluminium, Smelting Company, Ikot-Abasi in Akwa Ibom State have remained perpetually uncompleted and we are comfortable importing fuel and other petroleum products after throwing away our crude oil, in the name of exportation.

Nigeria is now battling with high cost of living, induced by the so-called removal of fuel subsidy. A custard rubber of garri now sells for N5,000, rubber of rice costs N7,500 to N850,000, a bottle of poorly refined kerosene sells at N2,000 and still salaries of workers remain static. How do we reconcile that?

We cannot talk of democracy without free and fair elections. That is the reason why well-meaning Nigerians are clamouring for free and fair elections. But the greatest resistance is coming from corrupt politicians, who do not have anything to offer in terms of leadership. It is important we enthrone true democracy, where election results will count and not one or two men sitting behind the bench to determine the fate of millions of Nigerians in the name of the judiciary. To achieve that faster, public offices should be made less attractive, so that anybody eyeing any elective office should know that he is going to render service and not planning to plunder public funds.

There must be stringent measures against corrupt officials serving or retired. Most successful countries of the world have adopted such an approach and the citizens are better for it. That is the reason corruption in Asia has become less common. Few public officers in the Asian Continent will dare to meddle into fraud, otherwise the hangman awaits such an officer.

Reverse is the case in Nigeria, or Africa at large. No wonder a politician seeking election will boldly tell us to go to court, provided he wins the election first. And true to it, this has been working out for them. The cases often last till the end of their tenure. If the court were to be the hope of the common man, such a thing wouldn’t happen.

It is also in Nigeria where perpetual injunction exists for public officers. This sounds strange, isn’t it? But it happens in Nigeria! A former president in Nigeria had identified the judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as his greatest headache in the war against corruption in the country and the duo lived up to expectations by frustrating every move he made to tackle corruption while his tenure lasted.

In other words, democracy is good, but Nigerian democracy has not lived up to its billing. It could rightly be described as a suffering and smiling kind of democracy, that makes it difficult for the people to experience the dividends of democracy. And democracy without dividends is worse than military dictatorship. At this juncture, it is important that we look at the way forward.

First and foremost, free and fair elections are sacrosanct in any given democracy globally.  Results or votes of such transparent elections must be allowed to count.  The judiciary is not meant to determine the outcome of elections in an ideal democratic setting, no wonder some credible winners of the nation’s elections have suffered a lot from law officers in the name of technicalities.

The judges now tend to play up technicalities far above evidence. No other thing to do other than ensuring that INEC conducts a credible, free and fair election, devoid of controversy that will not warrant the matter ending up at the court. We equally suggest that election riggers should be severely punished according to the law of the land. Where such laws are too light for possible electoral offenders, it should be amended to suit the purpose.

The current over-bloated bills on cost of governance should be cut down, the only attraction to public office should be knack for service. Again, power supply must be stable and constant to encourage investors, who will in turn create employment through their investments. Critical projects such as the Ajaokuta Steel Industry, Aluminium Smelting Company and the likes that are geared towards  industrialisation of the country must be completed and allowed to run optimally.

If the above stated measures are taken, Nigeria will vacate its third world country status, and  this is when celebration of democracy will make meaning for majority of the populace.