LAGOS, Nigeria – July 17, 2025
Former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, has called for a constitution that truly reflects Nigeria’s pluralistic identity, emphasizing that the country’s current structure must evolve to ensure stability, justice, and sustainable development.
Speaking during a public lecture on national cohesion held in Lagos, Chief Anyaoku stressed that Nigeria’s constitutional framework must be recalibrated to effectively manage the country’s diversity and promote unity among its ethnic and cultural groups.
“First, Nigeria is a pluralistic country,” he stated. “And like all successful pluralistic countries around the world, for its stability and maximal development, its constitution must address its own internal challenges.”
He noted that pluralism in governance is not a weakness but a strength when adequately supported by institutional frameworks that guarantee fairness, inclusion, and autonomy for constituent parts of the nation.
The elder statesman argued that Nigeria’s federal system, as it currently operates, has become overcentralized and unreflective of the foundational agreements that brought the country into being. He called for a return to a more truly federal structure that allows the federating units greater autonomy to manage their resources and development priorities.
Chief Anyaoku also warned that unless Nigeria undertakes genuine constitutional reforms that take into account its ethnic, religious, and regional diversities, recurring national tensions would persist and threaten the country’s future.
His comments add to the growing chorus of voices urging for constitutional dialogue and restructuring, amid widespread concerns about insecurity, economic hardship, and perceived marginalization in parts of the country.
