Nigeria’s Political Mistakes and Milestones: From Independence to the Pension Era

I believe Nigeria’s constitutional and political failures began before independence. The Western Region, despite its stronger revenue base, accepted federal representation that I consider unfair. In my view, representation should have reflected population, economic contribution and a transparent census. This could have exposed disputes over census figures early and reduced the imbalance that shaped the First Republic. I also believe key leaders mishandled the Action Group crisis, the collapse of parliamentary rule and the military interventions of 1966. The political disputes between Awolowo, Akintola, Balewa, the NCNC and military leaders should have been resolved through constitutional processes. Assassinations, coups and the suspension of democratic institutions deepened divisions and helped destroy the First Republic. On the civil war, I argue that state creation and the future of the old Eastern Region should have been decided through referendums. I also question the long-term fairness of equal Senate representation for states with vastly different populations and economic output. Nigeria needs a more balanced federal structure that treats citizens equally while recognising major differences in population and contribution. One major nation-building achievement is the contributory pension system. Retirement savings accounts have given many formal-sector workers a path to financial security. However, the system remains incomplete because a large share of Nigerian workers are still outside the formal economy and lack pension coverage.

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