Agbakoba calls for power devolution, shift from revenue sharing to generation
By Kunle Sanni
Prominent legal luminary and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Olisa Agbakoba, has called for the urgent devolution of powers in Nigeria, emphasizing the need to shift focus from revenue distribution to revenue generation.
In a statement on Monday, Agbakoba criticized Nigeria’s centralized governance structure, arguing that the overconcentration of power at the federal level has hindered development and governance efficiency nationwide.
The former Nigerian Bar Association president highlighted issues surrounding the Tax Reform Bill as a symptom of deeper problems with Nigeria’s revenue-sharing formula.
He noted that while the bill aims to increase revenue, particularly from corporations and wealthy elites, its proposed distribution formula has drawn opposition from Northern Nigeria.
“The North questions why the revenue-sharing formula in the proposed Tax Reform Bill differs from that for oil revenue,” Agbakoba said, describing the argument as “reasonably arguable.”
He further criticized the lack of incentives for Northern Nigeria to harness its agricultural potential, underscoring the need for decentralized governance to drive regional development.
Agbakoba advocated for a comprehensive redistribution of political and economic powers from the federal to state and local governments. He argued that empowering states to generate revenue independently would enhance efficiency and reduce reliance on federal allocations.
“It is long overdue to devolve political and economic power from the federal to state and local governments,” he stated. “Only then can we transition from merely sharing revenue to actively generating it.”
Agbakoba also called for a reassessment of the 98 items on the Exclusive Legislative List, which grants the federal government control over functions like marriage, drivers’ licenses, and basic education. He suggested these responsibilities be managed at state and local levels for greater efficiency.
Addressing inefficiencies in Nigeria’s judiciary, Agbakoba criticized the Supreme Court’s workload, which he said is burdened with local jurisdiction matters. He recommended redistributing judicial powers to allow lower courts to handle localized cases, expediting the justice process.
Agbakoba stressed that restructuring Nigeria’s governance framework is essential for sustainable development.
“The most pressing issue in Nigeria is governance—redistributing power across federal, state, and local levels to ensure efficient and effective administration,” he said.
