Restructuring a National Imperative, Not Sectional Agenda, Says Amb. Sarafa Ishola
ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE – Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Ishola, Nigeria’s immediate past High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, has asserted that restructuring is a national imperative, not a sectional agenda, and is crucial for the country’s progress. He made this declaration in Abeokuta, Ogun State, while chairing the 7th Anniversary Lecture of Penpushing Media.
The event, held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, gathered key stakeholders, media professionals, and thought leaders to discuss critical national issues.
Ambassador Ishola, a former Minister and a 2027 Ogun governorship hopeful, argued that Nigeria’s current federal structure exists more in theory than in practice, failing to provide the autonomy and competitive development needed for national growth. “The federalism we operate today neither grants real autonomy to the federating units nor stimulates the competitive development needed to drive national growth,” he stated.
He emphasised that true restructuring extends beyond the devolution of powers.
“True federalism is about responsible governance, institutional clarity, fiscal equity, and above all, citizen-driven accountability,” he noted.
The Ambassador also highlighted that the mindset of citizens is a critical component of the restructuring process. According to him, Nigerians must learn to acknowledge the efforts of public servants, even if imperfect. “Part of national restructuring is in how we treat our leaders. Until we begin to sincerely recognise and value the contributions of those who serve, we will continue to discourage well-meaning and competent individuals from stepping forward,” he said.
He praised Penpushing Media for creating a platform for meaningful dialogue and urged the organisation to continue its work, calling it a valuable national asset.
In her keynote address, former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, delivered a passionate critique of the ongoing constitutional amendment proceslabellinging it an “ineffective and costly distraction.”
“The current constitutional amendment cannot solve the deep-rooted issues stifling Nigeria’s growth. It is a charade—an expensive one—and frankly, a sheer waste of resources,” Ezekwesili stated.
She used an analogy to illustrate her point: “When an engineer confirms that a building’s foundation is structurally defective, you don’t start patching walls—you take the whole building down. That’s the situation with Nigeria’s current structure. It is fundamentally flawed and cannot be fixed with tweaks.”
According to Dr. Ezekwesili, “Nation-building cannot thrive on cosmetic changes. The time has come for Nigeria to embrace the demand for a brand-new constitution. This is no longer a political debate—it is a matter of life and death.”
The anniversary lecture concluded with a shared call to action for national introspection, courageous reforms, and sustained civic engagement, with both speakers agreeing that a better Nigeria requires sincerity, structural realignment, and an empowered citizenry.
