Prof. Mike Ozekhome Says Most Nigerian States Are Not Viable, Calls for Overhaul of 1999 Constitution

Renowned constitutional and human rights lawyer, Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, has stated that many of Nigeria’s existing states are not viable and argued against the creation of additional states in the country.

Speaking on Saturday during a “Walk for Wellness” campaign organized by Mike Ozekhome Chambers (MOC) in Abuja, Ozekhome attributed the challenges facing the states to the “skewed federal template” currently in place—one he described as operating more like a unitary system of government.

He called for a comprehensive overhaul of the 1999 Constitution, highlighting that it is overly cumbersome, concentrates too much power and responsibility at the federal center, and was largely shaped by the military regimes that ruled Nigeria for many years.

“Some of us now believe that rather than creating more states, we should consolidate the current structure into about six geopolitical zones functioning as regional governments,” he said.

Ozekhome advocated for a parliamentary system operating on a regional basis, which he believes would stimulate development and healthy competition among the regions. “Right now, no state is truly competing; they all just depend on the federation account disbursements in Abuja at the end of each month,” he lamented.

The senior lawyer criticized Nigeria’s overreliance on crude oil, noting that despite vast mineral resources in states like Nasarawa (with over 36 mineral deposits), Plateau, Sokoto, and Kaduna, the country has not capitalized on its natural wealth. “Nigeria has become a sharing country that isn’t baking anything because the people don’t care or even know how to bake,” he remarked.

On the structure of governance, Ozekhome suggested retaining the existing states as federating units with two tiers of government—federal and state—while leaving local government administration under the states’ jurisdiction.

He concluded by proposing that if any new state should be created at this time, it ought to be in the South East geopolitical zone to address equity concerns with other regions of Nigeria.