Former President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, has issued a stark warning that Nigeria may face disintegration if urgent constitutional reforms are not implemented before the 2027 general elections.

Speaking in Abuja during the public presentation of two books authored by veteran journalist Ike Abonye, Nwodo delivered a keynote address titled “How Did We Get Here?” in which he called for the restructuring of the Nigerian federation. He described it as a non-negotiable condition for the country’s survival.

“Nigeria must restructure and grant its constituent units full control over their natural resources,” Nwodo said. “Provided they remit taxes or royalties to the federal government for core national responsibilities such as defence, foreign affairs, customs, and immigration.”

The former Minister of Information warned that the country’s current centralised system of governance has failed and could lead to further national unrest unless reversed. He received loud applause from the audience after cautioning:

“These are irreducible minimum conditions. If they are not implemented, the only remaining option will be to go our separate ways.”

Call for True Federalism and State Autonomy

Nwodo argued that true federalism—where states or regions control their own security, economy, and natural resources—would empower local governance, promote innovation, and reduce the burden on the federal government. He called for the immediate creation of state police, saying a decentralised security apparatus would be better equipped to address region-specific challenges.

He also stressed the need for governments at all levels to prioritise agriculture and education, especially in areas of digital literacy, innovation, and vocational training.

“We need to prepare young Nigerians for a competitive global economy. This cannot happen under the current rigid system,” he said.

Deteriorating Infrastructure and Life Expectancy

Highlighting the dire state of Nigeria’s public services, Nwodo cited alarming statistics to underline his point. He referenced the United Nations World Population Prospects, which now ranks Nigeria as the country with the lowest life expectancy globally at 54.8 years.

On infrastructure, he drew from a BusinessDay report and a 2022 World Bank assessment, noting that Nigeria loses over $1 billion annually due to poor road infrastructure.

“Over 90% of goods and people in Nigeria are transported via roads,” Nwodo said. “Poor road conditions affect every sector, especially agriculture, where up to 40% of farm produce is lost post-harvest due to transportation delays.”

Debt Crisis Looms Amidst Inflation

The elder statesman also expressed grave concerns over Nigeria’s mounting debt profile. He revealed that the nation’s public debt had hit $94 billion by December 2024, and warned that with continued borrowing under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the figure could rise to ₦183 trillion in the near future.

“We are already seeing rising inflation and shrinking capital expenditure. Nigeria cannot sustain this level of fiscal recklessness,” he warned.

A Final Call for National Unity Through Reform

In conclusion, Nwodo urged political leaders, civil society, and citizens to unite in pushing for restructuring as the only viable path toward national stability.

“This is our last chance to preserve Nigeria’s unity. Without bold constitutional reforms, the future of our country is at risk.”

The speech has since reignited debate over the long-standing issue of federal restructuring in Nigeria, with political analysts and civic groups echoing the call for a national dialogue ahead of the 2027 elections.