Emeka Anyaoku, former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, has voiced a compelling call for Nigeria to restructure its governance framework, declaring that the country cannot thrive under its current 1999 Constitution. Speaking at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs in Lagos during the launch of “The Noble Academic and Patriot: A Biography of Emeritus Professor Akinjide Osuntokun,” Anyaoku stated that even the most exemplary leader would struggle to address Nigeria’s challenges without a new constitution.
“To those who think that the trouble with Nigeria today is the political leadership, I would say that as long as we have the 1999 Constitution as our grundnorm, not even Angel Gabriel or Malaikah Jibrin as leaders can successfully tackle the divisiveness, the underperforming economy with resultant poverty, insecurity, corruption, and other major challenges currently facing Nigeria,” Anyaoku remarked.
Anyaoku highlighted the country’s vast diversity, noting, “Nigeria is a multi-ethnic, multi-linguistic, and multi-religious society, and for such a complex entity to function harmoniously, it requires a federal structure that reflects and respects its diversity.”
He pointed to successful pluralistic nations like India, Canada, and Switzerland, which have achieved stability through authentic federal constitutions. “The universal lesson is that pluralistic countries which have survived as single political entities in unity and progress are those that addressed their pluralism—that is, their diversity—with genuine federal constitutions,” he said.
Anyaoku’s statements amplify the call for a constitutional overhaul, which many believe is critical for fostering national unity, political stability, and effective governance. Emphasizing the need for structural change, he concluded, “For Nigeria to progress, it must have a truly federal constitution,” He said.
