The President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has proposed changing the name of Nigeria to 'The United States of Nigeria'. His idea is focused on making states the central point of the country, supported by the center, rather than being controlled by it. He proposed this during his lecture after receiving the 2024 Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership. Dr. Adesina envisions a Nigeria where good governance, accountability, and zero corruption lead to economic strength across states, fostering a new era of prosperity.
Dr. Adesina emphasized the need for constitutional changes to empower states economically and financially, believing that stronger states will contribute to a stronger nation. He believes that Nigeria should be restructured based on economic viability rather than political expediency. Dr. Adesina calls for bold visionaries like Chief Obafemi Awolowo to lead the way, taking courageous decisions for the nation's future.
Dr. Adesina also highlighted the heavy burden Nigerians face from the lack of basic services and emphasized the need for government accountability. He argued against citizens bearing the brunt of providing essential amenities. To implement welfarist policies effectively, Dr. Adesina proposed decentralizing governance to give states greater autonomy. He believes states can achieve financial independence by leveraging their resources and accessing capital markets for development.
Dr. Adesina suggested that states establish internal sovereign wealth funds, reducing dependence on federal allocations and enabling them to access long-term financing independently.
