Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), recently discussed Nigeria’s sociopolitical landscape, highlighting the need for swift, decisive actions to address the nation’s many pressing issues. Agbakoba emphasized that Nigeria’s challenges require “tough decisions” and a more efficient approach, akin to the rapid response observed in the UK under Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
According to Agbakoba, the current administration needs to act with urgency. He pointed to the UK’s rapid legislative action in response to the withdrawal of Chinese investment in UK steel as an example of the kind of speed Nigeria should adopt. He emphasized that the country faces numerous emergencies, urging the government to prioritize quicker resolutions, especially concerning constitutional reforms and economic restructuring. Agbakoba suggested that Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) budget should be around N500 trillion, a goal that he believes is achievable with focused action on legal policy and governance reforms.
Agbakoba argued that Nigeria’s constitution is flawed and has not seen significant reform despite decades of discussion. He proposed restructuring Nigeria into eight regions rather than relying on the current state model, which he believes is too fragile to drive national development. The creation of these eight constitutional regions would, in his view, ensure a more decentralized approach to governance and reduce the over-centralization of power in Abuja.
He also stressed the importance of downsizing the public service, noting that the excessive number of federal workers, consuming a disproportionate share of the national budget, was unsustainable. He praised President Tinubu’s move to remove fuel subsidies but criticized the use of the proceeds for debt repayment instead of investing in social infrastructure.
On economic governance, Agbakoba raised concerns over the country’s reliance on international oil companies (IOCs) for the management of its oil wealth, which he argued deprives Nigeria of much-needed revenue. He suggested that Nigeria should adopt a model similar to Saudi Arabia’s ARAMCO, where the government retains control over oil wells and offers service contracts for expertise rather than selling off resources to foreign companies.
Agbakoba called for a reduction in the number of ministries and departments within the federal government, citing the Ministry of Information and the Ministry of Internal Affairs as examples of unnecessary bodies. He suggested that some areas, like education, should be managed at the state or local government level, allowing the federal government to focus on fewer priorities.
Turning to the role of the private sector, Agbakoba emphasized the need for Nigeria to shift from consumption to production. He argued that the government should create a conducive environment for businesses to thrive, particularly by reducing the reliance on cheap imports and supporting local industries. He pointed out that the influx of cheap goods, especially from China, has stifled local production and job creation.
Agbakoba also criticized the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), claiming that it has failed to deliver on its promises. He suggested that the government should allow the private sector to handle more of the country’s business operations rather than trying to manage them directly, as this approach has proven ineffective.
Dr. Agbakoba’s perspective calls for bold leadership and decisive action to tackle Nigeria’s political and economic issues. He advocates for comprehensive reforms, from constitutional changes to the decentralization of governance, to fostering a vibrant private sector. According to Agbakoba, without these structural changes, Nigeria will continue to face stagnation and decline.
