Afe Babalola has once again drawn attention to the structure that once held the country together and the reasons it worked. He reminds Nigerians that the 1963 Constitution created a balance that encouraged fairness, productivity and healthy rivalry among the regions. Under that arrangement, each region received half of the revenue from minerals extracted within its territory. From the remaining funds, the Federal Government placed thirty percent in a central pool to be shared, while keeping only twenty percent for itself.
That pool was divided in a way that reflected the population and productivity of the time. The North received the largest portion, followed by the East, then the West and the Mid West. Even with these differences, every region saw value in the system because it rewarded what they produced and encouraged them to do more. This was a period when agriculture anchored the economy. Groundnut, cotton, palm oil, cocoa and timber sustained households and gave the regions the confidence to build their own future. It was a time of stability, low unemployment and a strong currency. Many who lived through that era still remember how safe the streets were and how rare corruption seemed.
According to Babalola, things began to change with the arrival of military rule. The regions lost their financial independence as the command structure replaced the old order. Revenue that once belonged to the producing areas became concentrated at the centre, and a new sharing formula emerged. Under the military arrangement, the Federal Government took the highest allocation, leaving states and local governments with far smaller portions. Attempts to fine tune this system over the years still leave many feeling shortchanged, especially states whose natural resources continue to suffer environmental damage without receiving enough compensation.
He argues that the federal grip on revenue did not only weaken the regions, it deepened the sense of injustice in places where oil exploration destroyed farmland, polluted water and crippled livelihoods. These frustrations, he notes, lie at the heart of the long standing agitations that continue to echo across the oil producing communities.
Babalola also turns attention to the structure and cost of local government administration. He questions why councillors in many parts of the country earn more than seasoned academics. He wonders why those elected into local councils operate almost like parliamentarians, enjoying salaries, allowances and endless perks while little or nothing is done to uplift communities. He believes the current arrangement drains scarce resources and leaves nothing for development. Many local councils, he observes, can barely point to meaningful projects because most of their funds go into maintaining officials rather than meeting the needs of the people.
He points out that in several countries, local administration is anchored by professionals who serve part time, often without pay, driven mainly by a desire to contribute to their communities. They attend periodic meetings, receive only sitting allowances and still deliver results that are felt at the grassroots. Babalola wonders why Nigeria cannot adopt a similar approach that reduces waste and attracts capable hands.
He proposes that local council elections should no longer be tied to political parties. Instead, candidates should emerge without party influence, similar to the experiment carried out during the military era of the late seventies when many communities witnessed genuine grassroots progress. He believes adapting workable ideas from other societies does not diminish Nigeria’s identity but can help shape a structure that fits its needs.
Babalola further highlights the long standing tension between state governments and local councils. With allocations meant for the seven hundred and seventy four local governments routed through state administrations, conflicts are inevitable. Some states withhold these funds or fail to add their mandatory contributions, leaving council areas stranded and unable to address basic concerns. This, he stresses, must be revisited if Nigeria is to build a system that brings development closer to the people.
His renewed call for political reform, suggests that the journey toward a more productive and fair nation requires bold decisions, honest reflection and a willingness to correct long standing structural imbalances.
