AFDB President Adesina Proposes Renaming Nigeria to ‘United States of Nigeria’ for Restructuring

Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, the President of the African Development Bank Group, has suggested renaming the Federal Republic of Nigeria to “The United States of Nigeria.”

This proposal was put forward by Adesina through a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Industrialization, Prof. Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, and shared with the press on Saturday.

Adesina suggested this during his acceptance speech for the 2024 Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership, entitled “Making a New Nigeria: Welfarist Policies and People-Centered Development.”

He argued that rebranding the nation as the “United States of Nigeria” would change the relational mindset between the states and the federal capital, Abuja, stating that the fulcrum would be the states. At the same time, the centre would support them rather than lord over them.

According to him, this proposed development, when combined with good governance, better accountability systems, and zero tolerance for corruption, will create a more economically robust constituent state, giving rise to a new Nigeria.

In his words:

We must be audacious! Instead of the Federal Government of Nigeria, we could think of the United States of Nigeria. The old would give way to the new.

We would change the relational mindset between the states and Abuja: the fulcrum would be the states, while the centre would support them, not lord over them.

With good governance, better accountability systems, and zero tolerance for corruption, more economically more robust constituent states would emerge! We would unleash massive wealth across the states. A New Nigeria would arise! To do so, we will need all of us, not some of us.

From our forgotten rural villages to our boisterous and dynamic urban areas. From the sparks of desire in the eyes of our children to the lingering hope in the hearts of our youths.

From the yearnings of our women and mothers and our men and fathers for a better tomorrow, and the desires of the old that our end would be better than our past. From the hardworking street vendors and small businesses to the largest business conglomerates, we must create a movement of hope.

He also highlighted the need for constitutional reforms, stressing the importance of devolving economic and fiscal powers to the states or regions to enhance their strength, which, in turn, would bolster the nation as a whole. “The stronger the states or regions, the stronger the federated units,” he said.

He emphasised that Nigeria’s path out of economic challenges necessitates a restructuring process based on economic and financial viability rather than political considerations.

Drawing inspiration from Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s visionary leadership, Adesina urged present-day leaders to emulate his courage in making bold decisions for the nation’s progress.

He further pointed out the heavy implicit tax burden borne by Nigerians due to the government’s failure to provide essential services, as he emphasised the need for reform and improved governance.

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