The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, has renewed his call for the decentralisation of governance in Nigeria, warning that the country's democracy will remain fragile without the devolution of power 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 argued that the 1999 Constitution has failed to empower local governments, primarily due to lack of funding and over-reliance on higher tiers of government.
“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.
According to Agbakoba, Nigeria’s current system concentrates excessive authority at the centre, rendering states and local governments ineffective. He said this centralised structure has stifled innovation, hampered regional development, and contributed to insecurity and economic stagnation.
“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.”
He called on the National Assembly to pursue comprehensive constitutional reforms to correct the imbalance in power distribution and restore citizens’ confidence in governance.
Agbakoba stressed that Nigeria’s long-term transformation depends on adopting a truly federal system that fosters inclusivity, efficiency, and equitable resource control.
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