By Seyi Odewale
Nigeria’s centralised development framework is increasingly failing to deliver equitable growth, experts warned on Sunday, calling for a fundamental shift toward a regional economic model that leverages the country’s diverse strengths.
The Think Tank for Sustainable Development (TTTSD) said Nigeria must abandon its “one-size-fits-all” development strategy and embrace policies that empower regions to drive their own economic priorities based on comparative advantages.
Speaking at the group’s inaugural webinar, keynote speaker Dr Sam Amadi said the current structure has limited innovation and slowed national progress.
“Nigeria cannot achieve meaningful development if it continues to ignore the unique strengths of its regions,” Amadi said. “We must allow regions to innovate, compete, and grow according to their peculiar endowments.”
He argued that decentralising development planning would not only boost productivity but also address persistent socio-economic disparities across the country.
Drawing parallels with global best practices, Amadi pointed to China’s model of regional competitiveness as a pathway Nigeria could adapt.
“China succeeded because it allowed its regions to experiment and harness their resources. Nigeria must learn from this by enabling its regions to become engines of growth,” he said.
Beyond structural reforms, Amadi stressed the need for governance reforms, noting that development would remain elusive without rebuilding trust between citizens and the state.
“Sustainable development depends on respect for the social contract, promotion of social justice, and ethical governance,” he added. “Without these, even the best policies will fail.”
The webinar attracted participants from the diaspora, media, academia, and civil society organisations, reflecting growing concern over Nigeria’s economic direction.
In his opening remarks, Chairman of the event, General Chris Abutu Garba (Rtd), described the initiative as timely, given Nigeria’s current security and development challenges.
“This conversation is coming at a critical time when Nigerians are seeking solutions to worsening insecurity and economic hardship,” Garba said.
“Sustained dialogue like this can help shape better policies and guide citizens toward informed electoral decisions.”
He emphasised that the upcoming elections offer Nigerians an opportunity to prioritise leaders and policies that support inclusive, practical development strategies.
The Think Tank said the webinar is the first in a series aimed at fostering evidence-based discussions on national development, with a focus on actionable reforms.
“We are committed to creating a platform for continuous engagement on policies that can reposition Nigeria for sustainable growth,” the group said.
The call for a regional development model adds to ongoing debates about restructuring Nigeria’s governance framework, as stakeholders intensify pressure on policymakers to adopt more pragmatic and inclusive economic strategies.
