It's noteworthy that this country has been suffering since after civil war . Our problem is not that of corrupt failed leaders but a failed polity that muzzles economic development.We are practicing federalism upside-down, that is why we don't see development. Let me explain this a little more.

Each State gets allocation from Federal government from which it runs it's affairs, including the local councils. Even if the state couldn't generate a kobo, it has hope of meeting it's target from federal allocation.

How does federal government get the money it shares? Majority come from crude oil sales. After oil slump, it became difficult to sustain this faulty polity.

Before the civil war and Aguiyi's introduction of unitary government, regions were fending for themselves and were productive. If Nigeria has practiced true federalism, councils and states only need to pay federal tax from proceeds emanating from their localities be it natural resources or business endeavors. This way, federal government does not need to fund any state, rather states will fund federal.

How would this help us? If Osun state knows that they are going to get zero allocation from federal government, they would work hard to generate revenue internally. They can even borrow money from world bank or IMF to build a mega refinery as a source of income. They would also be forced to run it efficiently! That's their only hope of income! No feeding bottle federal system. States like Enugu and Anambra might invest or attract investors in natural gas and coal fired turbines, have more efficient tax return from Onitsha. No time to waste! Every kobo counts. Middle belt will invest heavily in Agriculture and even processed agro products instead of selling them raw overseas.

Federal Government should serve as a regulator of lower government tiers and also engage itself with national security. Occasionally they can bailout weak states and local governments. Any state that could not survive should be merged with other states. With merging, operational costs reduce. See how it helped banks!

If we have practiced true federalism from outset, we won't be in this mess now. Our economy would have diversified naturally. It is never too late to turn around. As long as federal government funds states and LGAs, they would never embark in fruitful projects. Embezzlement will continue. We need more than a righteous president to put the country on the right path.

The only way out of this is to go our separate ways.... They said two can not work together unless they agree. If two, what of three and more?? you dont merge 3 nations and call it a nation without their consent and expect peace... No it doesnt work like that. Lets Divide thats all

brize:
The only way out of this is to go our separate ways.... They said two can not work together unless they agree. If two, what of three and more?? you dont merge 3 nations and call it a nation without their consent and expect peace... No it doesnt work like that. Lets Divide thats all

you made a point but we can still do something to salvage the situation. Proper federal units are like miniature nations.