Former National Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Lai Olurode, and Chairman of the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), Wale Oshun, yesterday called for urgent structural reforms to address Nigeria’s deepening governance challenges, persistent insecurity, and growing concerns over national unity.

The duo, who spoke as guest speakers at a summit on democracy titled ‘Good Governance and the Crisis of Nationhood’, organised by the Yoruba Assembly, stressed that the country’s current governance framework had become increasingly inadequate in responding to contemporary realities.

The summit drew over 700 participants from across the South-West, who gathered to deliberate on Nigeria’s political trajectory and governance dilemmas.

Olurode noted that Nigeria’s challenges were fundamentally rooted in structural defects rather than merely the failings of individual leaders. He argued that the concentration of powers at the centre, weak institutions, and limited autonomy for subnational governments have constrained effective governance and slowed development across the Federation.

He stressed that no single leader, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, could resolve the country’s deep-seated governance issues without far-reaching constitutional and institutional reforms.

At the summit, the call for the establishment of state police was strongly reiterated as a critical component of restructuring. While the Inspector-General of Police was said to have advised a five-year delay in its implementation, participants rejected the suggestion, insisting that the country’s deteriorating security situation required immediate and decisive action.

They argued that decentralised policing would enhance intelligence gathering, improve response time, and allow states to better secure their territories in line with local peculiarities.

Oshun, on his part, stressed the need to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy and resist any attempt to erode democratic principles. He advocated comprehensive constitutional reforms that would devolve powers to the federating units, promote fiscal federalism, and encourage competitive development among states.

He further called for stronger collaboration among South-West governors, noting that regional cooperation remained vital for addressing cross-border crimes, protecting agrarian communities, and strengthening economic integration within the zone.

Human rights activist and Professor of Environmental Microbiology at the University of Lagos, Olufemi Obayori, also underscored the urgency of state policing as part of broader restructuring efforts. He argued that Nigeria’s current quasi-federal structure undermines efficiency, as states remain heavily dependent on federal allocations despite having significant untapped resources.

Participants at the summit reached a consensus that without structural reforms, Nigeria risks continued cycles of economic stagnation, political tension, and security crises.

They emphasised that strengthening democratic institutions, promoting equity among regions, and redefining the federal arrangement are essential steps toward building a more stable, inclusive, and prosperous nation.