Former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has lamented Nigeria’s stalled progress and urged for a renewed commitment to regional economic development.
Fayemi, who is also the former minister of Minerals Development made this lamentation at a roundtable organised by Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission to celebrate his 60th Birthday, which held on Wednesday, February 3, 2025, at the DAWN Board room in Cocoa House, Dugbe, Ibadan.
Drawing comparisons between Nigeria’s past and present, Fayemi underscored the country’s underwhelming economic trajectory and the necessity for pragmatic, non-partisan regional development efforts.
Remarking, Fayemi recalled that in 1959, Western Nigeria had an economy comparable to some developed Western nations, spearheaded by Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s visionary leadership, the leder of Action Group, Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), and first Premier of the Western Region.
However, six decades later, he noted with regret that the region and the country at large have been stagnated by a lack of sustained development policies, groaning, “If we are still at this junction of arrested development, there is really nothing to celebrate.”
Fayemi highlighted the role of DAWN Commission, an initiative aimed at fostering regional cooperation and economic growth, stressing the need for state governments to commit to implementing the DAWN Agenda, which was first developed during his tenure as governor.
The former governor expressed concerns about the inconsistent commitment levels among state governors toward regional development, pointing out that despite initial enthusiasm, political considerations have often derailed development efforts.
He, however, praised former Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for integrating Lagos into the Oodua Investment Company, marking a significant shift in the region’s economic approach emphasising, “Lagos can be a trigger for what happens in the rest of the region and the country.”
Fayemi also touched on the importance of infrastructural development, particularly, the need to revisit and implement the South West rail plan.
Discussants
He cited past collaborations with the World Bank, which aimed to model the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway as an economic corridor akin to similar projects in India.
He encouraged stakeholders to actively promote and execute such development initiatives, independent of government backing where necessary.
On energy policy, Fayemi acknowledged recent legislative advancements that now allow states to regulate electricity distribution.
He urged South West states to establish a regional energy pool to power industries and households efficiently, suggesting that collaboration with other regions should be pursued where beneficial.
Reflecting on lessons from other regional development commissions, he cautioned against bureaucratic inefficiencies and political interference warning, “We must not turn them into conduit pipes for political patronage”, and, advocated for evidence-based policies driven by research and economic expertise.
Fayemi concluded by calling on the DAWN Commission to remain proactive in driving economic reforms, ensuring that the region leverages its resources for sustainable growth.
He unequivocally asserted, “The job is not yet done; the job is just starting”, reiterating his commitment to the vision of a prosperous, self-sustaining South West Nigeria.
Earlier, the Keynote Speaker, Professor Remi Aiyede of the Department of Political Science, University of Ibadan (UI) identified three recent developments underscoring the complexities of intergovernmental relations in Nigeria, triggering debates and controversies across federal, state, and local levels.
According to Aiyede, these developments include the Supreme Court’s judgement on local government autonomy, the proposed tax reform bills, and the creation of the Ministry of Regional Development alongside regional development commissions.
He made a reference to the Supreme Court Ruling on Local Government Autonomy of July 11, 2024, which explicitly prohibits state governors from withholding federal allocations meant for local governments, ensuring their financial independence and operational effectiveness.
The Don explained that this ruling led to a surge in local government elections across various states, as governors scramble to comply with the ruling and secure federal allocations.
He pointed out the view of the critics who contend that many of these elections are being hastily organised, raising concerns over their legitimacy and adherence to democratic principles, adding that this development highlights the ongoing struggle for power and autonomy among the three tiers of government in Nigeria.
Aiyede spoke to the contentious Tax Reform Bills aimed at streamlining the tax system, enhance revenue generation, and reduce reliance on oil revenues.
He said that the bills faced stiff opposition, particularly, from the northern states, which critics argued that the proposed reforms could disproportionately impact their economies, exacerbating regional inequalities leading to the National Economic Council (NEC) to recommend its withdrawal for broader stakeholder engagement.
On this, Aiyede opined that the controversies surrounding the bill highlighted the necessity for an inclusive policymaking process, especially in a country as diverse as Nigeria and emphasises the challenges of achieving nationwide consensus in a multi-tiered federation.
Concerning the third development, Aiyede noted that in a bid to address disparities in economic and infrastructural development, the Federal Government recently established the Ministry of Regional Development and introduced regional development commissions.
He said that these commissions aim to promote balanced economic growth, reduce inequalities, and foster national unity.
The scholar pointed out that though the initiative received some support, it has also sparked debates within the National Assembly.
According to him, critics warn that the commissions could lead to bureaucratic redundancy, overlapping functions with state and local governments, and complicating intergovernmental relations.
For the proponents, the regional commissions could serve as essential intermediaries between the federal government and states, ensuring that regional interests are represented in national policymaking.
He retorted that the recent controversies underline the intricate nature of Nigeria’s federalism, where power struggles and disagreements among government tiers often stall progress.
He explained that experts suggest that fostering cooperation, dialogue, and consensus-building at various levels, national, regional, and local could strengthen governance and promote equitable development.
However, Aiyede raised concerns over Nigeria’s approach to governance and economic development, emphasising that strong institutions play a vital role in national progress.
His analysis highlighted the importance of well-functioning institutions in driving income per capita growth and ensuring overall economic stability.
He said in federations like Nigeria, regional development commissions have been established to promote balanced growth, foster intergovernmental cooperation, and enhance governance.
He added that these commissions act as bridges between local and national authorities, aiming to provide equitable development across all regions, expressing worry over its proliferation that could create bureaucratic inefficiencies and deepen governance issues.
Aiyede suggested that a more sustainable approach lies in strengthening existing institutions, improving federal-state coordination, and ensuring a transparent allocation of resources.
He noted that rather than relying on federal interventions, which have been characterised by politics-driven resource-sharing or “cake-sharing,” greater emphasis should be placed on horizontal cooperation among states.
Aiyede highlighted the corruption and mismanagement within the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the North East Development Commission (NEDC) as symptomatic of broader governance failures in Nigeria.
According to him, these commissions, meant to drive regional development, have been plagued by allegations of embezzlement and weak accountability mechanisms, stressing that without strict anti-corruption measures, transparent project execution, and greater local involvement in decision-making, such commissions would continue to fall short of their objectives, leaving millions of Nigerians without much-needed development.
Aiyede warned that the establishment of regional commissions as currently proposed risks deepening divisions along regional lines, increasing intergovernmental antagonism, and reinforcing the zero-sum politics that have historically hindered Nigeria’s federalism.
He stressed that rather than fostering unity, these commissions could contribute to further fragmentation and inefficiencies.
A more effective approach, he argues, is voluntary regional collaboration among states on development projects that benefit all parties involved, as exemplified by DAWN, which has facilitated cooperation among states in the South-West.
In his contribution, Professor Afolabi Samuel in his paper titled, “Beyond Administrative Boundaries – Reimagining Nigeria’s Development Through Regional Integration: Theoretical Foundations and Evolution” expressed that Nigeria’s economic development could not be achieved through the same fragmented and state-centred approach that has long hindered its progress.
Samuel,a specialist of comparative politics and political theory at the Department of Political Science, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, argued that regional integration is not just an idealistic concept but the most practical strategy for fostering sustainable growth by harnessing economic synergies that are often restricted by administrative borders.
Samuel emphasised the theoretical underpinnings of regional economic planning, citing development economics, institutional theory, and regionalism as frameworks that highlight the transformative power of decentralisation.
According to him, strategic infrastructure investment, human capital development, and interregional cooperation are crucial to Nigeria’s economic revitalisation.
However, he warned that these transformative changes would remain elusive without decisive political will.
He stressed the need for granting regional commissions greater autonomy to drive development, implementing institutional reforms to align governance with economic imperatives, and actively involving businesses and local communities in shaping their own economic futures.
“Nigeria stands at a crossroads,” Samuel noted. “One path leads to the continued inefficiencies of a disjointed system, while the other paves the way for an integrated, competitive, and self-sustaining economy. The choice is clear, but execution requires more than rhetoric; it demands bold policy shifts, transparent leadership, and a relentless commitment to making regional integration a working reality.”
Other discussants at the forum are the UI Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences, Professor Abiodun Folawewo, a specialist in macroeconomics, labour and development, Professor Olugbemiga Samuel Afolabi, Dr Emmanuel Osewe Akubor, and Tahir Ijaya, an Assistant Lecturer and doctoral student in the UI Department of Political Science.
In his tribute to Fayemi, Hon. Wale Oshin described Fayemi as a rare breed individual, who is a blessing to Nigeria, particularly, the South West, saying that he has proven himself as a success in both academic and politics.
Also, Sir Gbenga Adebusuyi, who described Fayemi as a cherished aburo pointed out that Fayemi has contributed immensely to the emancipation of Nigeria.
He agreed with Fayemi’s position that DAWN Commission still has a lot to do stressing that it has not succeeded as imagined it would do at its inception.
In his remark, DAWN Director-General, Dr Seye Oyeleye, lamented how tough it was for the commission to work with the six South West governors, pointing out that the military government really divided the region.
Oyeleye pointed out that the commission had to convince the South-West states to work together by appealing to thier sense of history, adding, “I have to explain to them that this is western Nigeria that we must all work for to develop.”
He explained that division in the region would bring retrogression, assuring that the commission would work with theSouth West Development Commission the very moment it is signed into law and start operation. .
‘We will collaborate with them. They will need to do projects that resonate in the region like electricity , power, among others”, charging them not to be occupied by petty projects like digging boreholes.
He said that Fayemi is worth the commission’s celebration as a founding father of the commission, who did everything possible to see to the success of the commission.
According to him, Fayemi is one of the prime movers of regional cooperation among the sub-nationals, even before he became a governor.
