Since assuming office in 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demonstrated a strong commitment to restructuring Nigeria’s governance framework in line with his long-held advocacy for true federalism. His actions so far suggest a clear intent to decentralize power and promote regional autonomy, reinforcing a stance he has maintained since his days as a pro-democracy activist and Governor of Lagos State.
Key Steps Toward Federalism
One of the most significant steps in this direction was his facilitation of Local Government Autonomy late last year, a move widely praised, especially at the grassroots level. In October 2024, his administration took another bold step by establishing the Ministry of Regional Development, replacing the former Ministry of the Niger Delta. Initially tasked with overseeing the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the North-West Development Commission (NWDC), the South-West Development Commission (SWDC), and the North-East Development Commission (NEDC), the ministry’s mandate has now been expanded to include the newly created North Central Development Commission (NCDC). This expansion followed the recent signing of a bill into law, as announced by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The Role of Regional Development Commissions
Each of these commissions is responsible for designing, planning, and implementing projects aimed at the sustainable development of its respective region. Additionally, they are tasked with identifying barriers to regional growth and assisting member states in crafting and executing policies that ensure the effective management of resources.
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Widespread Approval and Stakeholder Reactions
The President’s decision has sparked widespread approval, particularly among those advocating for comprehensive grassroots development. The leadership of the APC Forum in the North-Central geopolitical zone hailed the move, stating:
“The President’s action demonstrates that he is a leader who listens. He has responded to the longstanding demands of the North-Central APC Forum, which has consistently called for the establishment of a development commission for the region, just as has been done for other geopolitical zones, to uphold equity and justice. Only days ago, we raised concerns that the exclusion of the North-Central from the N2.493 trillion allocated to regional development commissions in the proposed 2025 budget was an act of injustice and marginalization. The creation of the North-Central Development Commission will fast-track development in the region and ensure that we do not fall behind in infrastructure and economic growth.”
Fine-Tuning the Implementation
In recent days, the Tinubu-led Federal Executive Council (FEC) has been working to refine the operational structures of the commissions, beginning with the appointment of members to the Governing Boards of the North-West and South-East Development Commissions. These actions underscore the administration’s understanding that development should be driven from the bottom up rather than imposed from the top down. They also reinforce the principle that regional development commissions are not an end in themselves but a means to achieving broader national progress.
The Economic Case for Regional Autonomy
Political economists widely agree that the most effective approach to regional development is through the devolution of power to the regions via democratic, transparent, and accountable governance, one that affirms and enhances regional autonomy. While President Tinubu’s gradual approach may not precisely align with the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference Report, it implicitly acknowledges the economic principle of agglomeration. This concept suggests that geographically contiguous states are far more viable when they pool resources to achieve economies of scale rather than functioning in isolation. The sooner geopolitical entities across Nigeria strengthen cooperation with their neighbors, the greater the positive impact on national development.
Challenges and Hopes for the Future
Many observers remain cautiously optimistic that, with his pragmatic leadership style, President Tinubu will demonstrate the political will to:
1. Curb corruption and patronage, a problem that has plagued development commissions like the NDDC, as evidenced by multiple probes since its inception in 2000.
2. Promote synergy between commissions and local governments, ensuring that Development Commissions work effectively with Local Government Councils within their jurisdictions. This aligns with his commitment to strengthening local government autonomy, which often faces challenges due to interference from some state governors.
A Federal Nigeria in Practice, Not Just in Name
If President Tinubu, with the support of his administration and the cooperation of all Nigerians, succeeds in realizing the true purpose behind these regional development commissions, it would mark a major step toward a governance system where regional autonomy is not just theoretical but a functioning reality. In such a scenario, the term Federal in The Federal Republic of Nigeria would no longer be a misnomer but a true reflection of the country’s political and economic structure.
