The President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has suggested renaming the Federal Republic of Nigeria to "The United States of Nigeria."
Adesina made this proposal in a statement by his Special Adviser on Industrialization, Prof. Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, which was made available to journalists on Saturday. He presented this idea in a speech titled “Making a New Nigeria: Welfarist Policies and People-Centred Development,” as the winner of the 2024 Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership.
He argued that changing the name to the “United States of Nigeria” would redefine the relationship between the states and Abuja, with the states serving as the fulcrum and the center supporting them rather than lording over them.
Adesina emphasized the need for constitutional changes to devolve more economic and fiscal powers to the states or regions, stating that the stronger the states or regions, the stronger the federated units.
He stressed that economic and financial viability are essential for political viability and called for bold decisions and visionary leadership similar to Chief Obafemi Awolowo's approach.
Adesina highlighted the burden on Nigerians due to the failure of governments or institutions to provide basic services, stating that Nigerians pay one of the world's highest implicit tax rates.
He concluded by stating the need for a movement of hope and urged for restructuring driven by economic and financial viability rather than political expediency.
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