Professor Kingsley Moghalu, President of the African School of Governance in Kigali, Rwanda, has called for the creation of a new constitution to tackle Nigeria’s ongoing political and economic crises. Moghalu, who previously served as the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and ran for the presidency, emphasized that Nigeria's current constitution is inadequate to address the nation's fundamental issues, including its state formation and economic struggles.
Speaking during a webinar hosted by historian Professor Toyin Falola as part of the Toyin Falola interview series, Moghalu argued that Nigeria must go beyond its current governance framework. "For Nigeria to overcome its political and economic challenges, a new constitution is necessary," he said. "We must revisit the drawing board and bring together Nigeria’s ethnic nationalities to agree on a new framework that defines what Nigeria means and the rights of its people."
Moghalu believes that if ethnic groups in Nigeria can reach a consensus, it would lead to greater peace and stability. However, he acknowledged the difficulty of achieving such consensus, given the entrenched political and economic interests around resource control.
He highlighted that many Nigerian leaders shy away from addressing the issue of nationhood and a new constitution because of the ongoing struggle for control over the country’s natural resources. He pointed out that former President Goodluck Jonathan’s National Conference, which addressed the issue of restructuring and national dialogue, was ultimately shelved after he failed to secure a second term. The current administration, Moghalu noted, has also dismissed the National Conference’s recommendations.
According to Moghalu, the lack of a clear national identity has been a significant barrier to Nigeria’s progress. "The concept of nationhood is often overlooked in Nigeria," he stated. "Without a shared sense of identity and purpose, government cannot function effectively."
Moghalu concluded by arguing that the state of Nigeria’s economy is directly linked to the absence of nationhood. He explained that the country's politics are driven by a competition for resources, which undermines national productivity. "As long as resource control remains the primary political goal, Nigeria’s economy will continue to suffer," he warned.