Abuja: Prof. Maxwell Gidado, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Professor of Constitutional Law, has emphasized that restructuring Nigeria could be beneficial if it is correctly comprehended and implemented. He conveyed these thoughts during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after delivering a lecture at Nasarawa State University’s 53rd Lecture.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Gidado highlighted that Nigeria’s current governmental system is centralized, diverging from the federal structure delineated in the constitution. He compared it to the federal systems in countries like the U.S., India, and Canada, where state governments have more autonomy.
In Nigeria, a dominant central government controls state affairs, including resource allocation and project approvals, hindering state governments from executing projects even when necessary. Gidado advocated for a decentralization of the federal system, transferring more powers to state governments to manage internal affairs such as power generation, education, and infrastructure independently.
Gidado suggested that the federal government should concentrate on foreign policy, defense, and the economy. He noted the shifting global demand for oil, with countries like the UK and France planning to ban diesel and petrol cars by 2040, which could substantially decrease oil demand after 2025 as battery-powered cars gain prominence.
He cited the International Energy Agency’s report that China’s potential shift away from fossil fuels could significantly impact global oil demand. Other countries, including India and Norway, are also considering similar bans. Gidado stressed the necessity for oil-dependent nations like Nigeria to diversify their economies to avoid bleak futures.
Despite Nigeria’s reliance on oil revenue, Gidado pointed out the country’s vast agricultural potential, which, with appropriate policies, could position Nigeria as one of the world’s wealthiest nations.