This concept has been explored in my book, The Game Changer for National Transformation, but its importance warrants reiteration here. If Nigeria is to experience the full benefits of governance, decentralising the system of government is essential. Power needs to be moved closer to the people by empowering local tiers and granting each local unit, state, and region the autonomy to develop at their own pace. This approach would significantly reduce the financial resources funnelled to the federal government, but the benefit is clear: these resources would be more readily available at the grassroots, where the majority of the population resides.
The federal government’s role, under a decentralised system, would shift to creating frameworks, policies, and ideologies that provide guidance and support to the local units, while also ensuring national unity. However, overcentralisation has been a fundamental issue in Nigeria, leading to inefficiency and poor administration. The concentration of power and resources at the federal level has created a system where elected officials are often distracted by trivial issues, neglecting the critical matters they were elected to address. This centralised system has hindered progress, contributing to widespread corruption and ineffective governance.
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Globally, decentralisation has been successfully implemented in countries like Switzerland and Canada, where regional governments are granted significant autonomy over local matters, allowing for tailored development strategies that reflect the unique needs of each region. In Switzerland, for example, the cantonal system allows each canton to govern itself with considerable independence, resulting in a more efficient and responsive system of governance. In Canada, the federal structure allows provinces to manage their own affairs, particularly in areas like healthcare, education, and natural resources, while the central government focuses on national defence, trade, and foreign policy. This division of responsibilities fosters a more balanced and functional governance system.
In contrast, Nigeria’s overcentralisation has resulted in massive bureaucracy and a concentration of wealth and power at the top, stifling local development. The federal government is overburdened with responsibilities and resources that could be more effectively managed at the local level. The concentration of power has also created a toxic political environment where access to federal resources becomes the primary goal of political actors, often to the detriment of meaningful governance.
For instance, in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region, local communities have long demanded greater control over their resources, particularly oil revenues. The central government’s control over these resources has led to feelings of disenfranchisement and underdevelopment in the region. A decentralised system would allow the Niger Delta states to manage their resources more directly, leading to more equitable development and a reduction in the grievances that have fuelled conflict in the area.
One of the most damaging effects of overcentralisation is the creation of a culture where individuals must rely on the government for survival. In Nigeria, it has become nearly impossible for an average citizen to thrive without government involvement, as the central government controls key sectors of the economy and access to opportunities. This overreliance on the federal government stifles innovation, entrepreneurship, and private sector growth, which are crucial to national development.
In contrast, decentralisation would empower local governments and communities to take control of their destinies. This would foster an environment where citizens can contribute meaningfully to the economy without being hampered by bureaucratic red tape. A decentralised system would also allow local governments to address the specific needs of their populations, rather than waiting for directives from Abuja.
For Nigeria to progress, there must be a shift away from the current system of overcentralisation. The excessive concentration of power and resources at the federal level has only led to corruption, inefficiency, and a lack of accountability. Decentralisation would distribute power more equitably, empowering local governments and citizens to contribute to national development in a meaningful way.
Moreover, decentralisation could be the key to reducing corruption. With less money and power concentrated in the hands of a few at the top, there would be fewer opportunities for misuse of funds. Local governments, being closer to the people they serve, are more likely to be held accountable for their actions. This shift could lead to greater transparency and better governance overall.
Decentralisation is not just a political strategy—it is a necessity for the growth and prosperity of Nigeria. By empowering local communities and reducing the overbearing influence of the federal government, the nation can unlock its full potential. The wealth of a nation is, after all, the sum of the wealth of its citizens. When power and resources are shared more equitably, growth becomes inevitable, and with it, the progress and development that Nigeria so desperately needs.