Mismanagement, Not Faulty Federal System Is Nigeria’s Problem, Says Shettima

Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has stated that the primary challenge facing Nigeria’s federal system is not its structural design but rather the pervasive fiscal irresponsibility across all levels of government.

Speaking at the 17th Leadership Annual Conference and Awards in Abuja on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, Shettima, who was represented by his Special Adviser on General Duties, Aliyu Modibbo Umar, emphasized that the problems often attributed to the federal structure stem from the mismanagement of available resources rather than inherent flaws in the constitution.

“There is no doubt that the Nigerian challenge, when carefully considered, lies less in the structure of our federalism and more in the deficit of our collective fiscal responsibility,” Shettima asserted. “The problems we attribute to our federal system often stem from the poor management of what is already within our grasp, not from any inherent flaw in our constitutional architecture.”

He highlighted the current administration’s commitment to reforms aimed at fostering a more functional and people-centered federal system, with a key focus on achieving local government autonomy through due legal process.

Shettima cited recent Supreme Court pronouncements as underscoring this commitment.

Drawing comparisons with other federal systems like Canada, Germany, and Spain, the Vice President cautioned against simply adopting foreign models without considering Nigeria’s unique socio-political realities.

He stressed the importance of tailoring Nigeria’s federal structure to meet national aspirations through sincere dialogue and collective reform.

Shettima pointed to the removal of fuel subsidies and the introduction of tax reform legislation as evidence of the government’s commitment to building a fiscally responsible federation.

He urged stakeholders at all levels to prioritize prudent and transparent resource management, emphasizing that real progress would only be achieved when every public fund is deployed in the best interest of the people.

The Vice President concluded by congratulating the award recipients at the event, recognizing their embodiment of integrity, innovation, and impact, values he hopes to see institutionalized across the nation.