The Restructuring Debate: The Missing Links in Nigeria's Federal Structure
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This work aim at narrowing the options, identify sectors of priority and the procedure to restructure the Nigeria federation. The work address two issues: (1) the constitutional reforms embarked by the federal government to restructure Nigeria; and (2) to ascertain whether past efforts to restructure have provided answer to the agitation for restructuring. The descriptive survey method of analysis was deployed to analyse returned questionnaires. The purposive sample technique was applied, while the simple percentage, the mean, standard deviation and the z-test are deployed in the analysis. Findings of the research reveal that past efforts in restructuring the Nigerian polity yielded little benefits and have not discouraged the agitation for a more equitable federal structure. The researcher recommends, fiscal restructuring and devolution of powers to the federating units as key to successful restructuring of the Nigerian federation. To achieve this, leaders must have the political will, some parts of the country must not mistake restructuring to balkanization of the country. Debate, seminars and conferences must continue to enlighten citizens on the need to restructure the Nigerian polity through constitutional means.