By Tunde Rahman
Twenty-seven years into unbroken democracy, Nigeria’s federal structure remains our best tool for managing diversity and delivering development. But federalism is neither a contest between Abuja and the sub-nationals, nor is it a zero-sum competition for relevance. It is a covenant, an agreement to work together – keep some powers and grant some others to the central government for proper coordination.
The principle of federalism, as articulated by constitutional scholars like A.V. Dicey and K.C. Wheare, rests on three pillars: devolution of powers, supremacy of the constitution, and non-centralisation.
In Nigeria, this division of power plays out through the Exclusive, Concurrent and Residual Lists. Defence, immigration, currency and foreign policy, among others, reside with the centre while education, health, land and local roads lie with states and Local Government Councils.
Many will argue that Nigeria is over-centralised, that the centre in Abuja has excessive powers. This may be difficult to disprove. Yet, devolution of power is not division of purpose. When the centre and sub-nationals work at cross-purposes, citizens pay the price. When they collaborate and align, real development can occur. Alignment does not mean surrender of autonomy. It is the exercise of joint responsibility so that the roads can be well paved, schools can be built and stocked with learning materials, and society generally can be better.
