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Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, has stated that President Bola Tinubu will struggle to implement significant economic reforms unless Nigeria's political and governance framework undergoes substantial restructuring.
During his appearance on Channels Television's Politics Today on Friday, Agbakoba highlighted the critical need for the decentralization of power, urging President Tinubu to delegate essential responsibilities from the Federal Government to state and local governments.
The esteemed legal expert, who pointed out the disparity between official economic figures and the actual experiences of Nigerians, questioned the usefulness of government statistics for the average person.
He remarked, "He cannot achieve any meaningful economic reform within the current political governance structure," Agbakoba asserted.
"Some refer to it as restructuring, others as decentralization or devolution; whatever the term, the president must take action."
He further inquired, “When the National Bureau of Statistics announces a GDP growth rate of 3.3 percent, is that reflected in reality, where the prices of garri, rice, beans, and palm oil are burdening people?”
Agbakoba urged Tinubu to tackle the remaining two years of his term with renewed urgency and political bravery, beginning with a strategic transfer of key powers from the Exclusive Legislative List to state governments.
Moreover, Agbakoba called for increased autonomy for Nigeria's 774 local governments, advocating for a more effective three-tier system dedicated to public service delivery.
"What all Nigerians seek are services: education, healthcare, employment, security, and adequate pensions. The only path to achieving this is to reconfigure Nigeria."
