In an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time, on Tuesday, June 9th 2026, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, a political economist and former deputy governor of Nigeria’s central bank, has stated that the country’s rejection of its federal structure in the early years following independence is a major cause of the present problems with governance in Nigeria.
In contrast to the centralised setup that arose following the military intervention in 1966, Moghalu argued that the regional system in use during the early 1960s offered a more solid basis for development.
According to him, “What we had in the early 60s was certainly much better than the unitary system we have tried to use since 1966.”
In his analysis of Nigeria’s insecurity dilemma, which he characterised as more of a failing of nationhood than a security concern, Moghalu made the comments mentioned above.
He stated that the political system of the country has hindered the ability of different areas to capitalise on their own strengths in growth, hampered accountability, and harmed governance.
Any viable constitutional system must acknowledge the reality that Nigeria was established around multiple ethnic nationalities, as pointed out by the former presidential contender.
He presented two possible ways of constructing a nation: either by trying to eradicate ethnic identities in favour of a unified national one, or by establishing a federal structure that allows for variety while fostering stability and economic progress.
He voiced his support for a revival of a more limited form of genuine federalism, arguing that it would enhance subnational governance and provide incentives for development.
In addition, Moghalu stated that federal systems have been utilised by numerous prosperous multiple societies to handle diversity, citing the USA, Canada, and Switzerland as examples.
Overcoming insecurity, strengthening national cohesion, and achieving enduring prosperity, he added, requires Nigeria to undergo constitutional restructuring and embrace genuine federalism.