“Restructure now or risk Nigeria’s collapse” – Anyaoku calls for true federalism

Elder statesman and former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, has issued a warning that Nigeria’s continued existence is at stake unless the country urgently adopts true federalism.

Speaking at the 14th Chief Emeka Anyaoku Lecture Series on Good Governance in Enugu on Tuesday, Anyaoku reiterated the need to replace Nigeria’s current centralised constitution with one that genuinely reflects the nation’s multi-ethnic diversity.

His words: “Nigeria was more peaceful and developed faster in the first six years after independence under a federal constitution.

“Each of the four regions had autonomy to manage their internal affairs, development, and security.”

The 92-year-old former diplomat blamed the military-imposed unitary system for stalling Nigeria’s development and deepening mistrust among its people.

He warned that if the country fails to revert to true federalism, it may go the way of other multi-ethnic nations that fractured under unresolved internal tensions.

Backing Anyaoku’s position, retired Maj. Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, a former Foreign Affairs Minister and chair of the event, said the centralised system has failed Nigerians.

He said: “I have long advocated restructuring into a proper federation.

“Without autonomy, states cannot effectively address their unique developmental and security challenges.”

Nwachukwu also called for the establishment of state police and reforms in education to equip citizens with the skills needed to drive national growth.

In his keynote address, former UN ambassador Prof. Ibrahim Gambari urged far-reaching structural reforms, including power devolution, leadership overhaul, and a new elite consensus.

Hosted by the Youth Affairs International Foundation, the event gathered influential leaders and reignited national debate on Nigeria’s governance structure.