A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, has renewed his call for the decentralisation of power, stressing that Nigeria’s democracy will remain fragile until authority and resources are devolved from the centre to the states and local governments.
In a thought-provoking paper titled “Devolution is the Solution – Foundational Reform Agenda for Nigeria’s Transformation,” Agbakoba argued that the 1999 Constitution has structurally weakened local governments, making them financially dependent and politically powerless.
“The structure of our Constitution does not empower local governments to perform. They are financially handicapped and politically subjugated. Without fiscal autonomy, no meaningful development can happen at the grassroots,” he said.
The former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) lamented that Nigeria’s over-centralised system of governance has concentrated too much power at the federal level, turning states and local councils into mere administrative appendages with limited control over their affairs.
According to him, this imbalance has stifled innovation, curtailed regional competitiveness, and widened governance gaps that contribute to insecurity and economic distress.
“To make democracy work for Nigerians, we must devolve power closer to the people,” Agbakoba stated. “Each level of government should have clear constitutional roles and financial independence to deliver on their mandates. Devolution will deepen democracy, strengthen accountability, and foster national unity.”
He urged the National Assembly to pursue comprehensive constitutional reform to correct the power imbalance, emphasising that decentralisation is vital for restoring public trust and driving inclusive development.
Agbakoba concluded that Nigeria’s transformation depends on embracing a truly federal structure that guarantees autonomy, efficiency, and equitable resource control across all tiers of government.
Reporting by WAHAB Akinlade