Abuja, Nigeria – Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, has called for the urgent decentralisation of Nigeria’s governance structure, warning that the country’s democracy will continue to struggle unless power is devolved from the federal government to states and local councils.
In a policy paper titled “Devolution is the Solution – Foundational Reform Agenda for Nigeria’s Transformation”, Agbakoba criticised the 1999 Constitution for failing to empower local governments, citing lack of financial autonomy and over-dependence on the federal and state governments as key issues.
“The structure of our Constitution does not empower local governments to perform,” he stated. “They are financially handicapped and politically subjugated. Without fiscal autonomy, no meaningful development can happen at the grassroots.”
Agbakoba argued that the current system of government overly centralises authority in Abuja, leaving state and local governments with limited control over their own affairs. He said this has hindered innovation, weakened regional competitiveness, and contributed to the country’s ongoing economic and security challenges.
“To make democracy work for Nigerians, we must devolve power closer to the people,” he said. “Each level of government should have clear constitutional roles and financial independence to deliver on their mandates. Devolution will not only deepen democracy but also strengthen accountability and national integration.”
The legal expert urged the National Assembly to prioritise comprehensive constitutional reforms that would address what he described as a fundamental imbalance in Nigeria’s power structure.
He concluded that true federalism—characterised by inclusivity, efficiency, and equitable resource control—is essential for Nigeria’s long-term stability and development.
