Akinwumi Adesina Urges Renaming Nigeria to 'The United States of Nigeria' for Enhanced State Empowerment

 The President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has proposed renaming the Federal Republic of Nigeria to "The United States of Nigeria."

 Adesina made this suggestion during a lecture as the recipient of the 2024 Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership.

 He argued that this name change would shift the relationship between states and the central government, with states being the focal point supported by the center, rather than being dominated by it. 

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Adesina emphasized the importance of "good governance, accountability, and the eradication of corruption" to unleash economic potential across all states.

 He advocated for constitutional changes to empower states economically and financially, stressing that "restructuring should be driven by economic viability rather than political expediency."

 Adesina highlighted the need for decentralized governance to enable states to provide better services and achieve greater autonomy. 

He also suggested that states could enhance their financial independence through "fiscal prudence" and leveraging their comparative advantages to attract investment.

 This approach would reduce reliance on federal grants and promote self-sufficiency at the state level.