Oyo Governor Makinde Advocates Federalism Reform

In his Independence Day message marking Nigeria's 66th anniversary, Oyo State Governor ‘Seyi Makinde called for a fundamental review of the country's federal system. He stressed the importance of strengthening institutions and returning to the principles of federalism to tackle Nigeria's developmental challenges.

Reflecting on the nation's journey since independence, Makinde questioned the effectiveness of the inherited federal structure and urged Nigerians to consider the kind of nation being built for future generations. He highlighted that the current federal structure often hampers state governments from addressing identified problems due to a lack of constitutional authority.

This limitation affects security, infrastructure development, job creation, and local economies. Makinde shared his experiences as governor, noting instances where his administration had the will and capacity to act but was constrained by the federal structure.

He linked his call for reform to his proposed “Reset Nigeria” agenda, aimed at identifying institutional weaknesses and improving governance.