Why the centre and states’ partnership and alignment matter

Nigeria's federal structure, 27 years into its current democratic era, remains a vital mechanism for managing its diversity and fostering development. However, effective federalism is not a competition between the central government in Abuja and the states, but rather a cooperative covenant.

Constitutional scholars define federalism by three pillars: devolution of powers, the supremacy of the constitution, and non-centralization. In Nigeria, this division allocates powers like defense, immigration, and foreign policy to the federal government, while states and local governments handle areas such as education, health, and land. Critics argue Nigeria is over-centralized, but the author contends that power division should not equate to a division of purpose.

When the central government and states work at cross-purposes, citizens bear the consequences. Conversely, collaboration and alignment between these levels of government can lead to tangible development. This alignment does not necessitate the surrender of autonomy but rather the exercise of joint responsibility to improve infrastructure like roads and schools.

The importance of this strategic partnership was recently underscored during the Renewed Hope Ambassadors’ National Media Tour of Legacy Projects in Nigeria's South East. The tour, which visited Ebonyi, Enugu, and Abia states, provided instructive examples of the benefits derived from center-state collaboration. These projects demonstrated how aligned efforts between federal and state governments yield significant developmental gains.