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Written By The D-37.
INTRODUCTION
Today, 25th November 2025 is the 79th birthday anniversary of H.E, Atiku Abubakar, GCON, the venerable Wazirin Adamawa, former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 – 2007 and Leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). As a mark of honour to celebrate this momentous day, the D-37 consisting of political associates of the late EZOMO, High Chief, Dr. Raymond Dokpesi, in this special tribute, ex-ray the ATIKU PLAN for Nigeria, taken from his 2023 manifesto and public speeches about his vision for a restructured and prosperous Nigeria. The review, which is meant to felicitate with our principal and patron is even more poignant today, as we approach the eve of another opportunity to reset Nigeria in 2027; and to remind us all of the missed opportunity of 2023 and why H.E, Atiku Abubakar, GCON is Nigeria’s best prepared presidential material for 2027.
PROGNOSIS
Nigeria’s political history has been shaped by the tension between a powerful federal government and constituent units that often feel constrained by centralised authority. Since 1999, the debate on restructuring, defined variously as devolution, decentralisation, true federalism, or constitutional rebalancing, has been central to national discourse. Few contemporary Nigerian political figures have tied their public identity to this issue as consistently as Atiku Abubakar. Across speeches, manifestos, interviews, and policy documents, particularly the framework often called the ATIKU PLAN, his position has been that Nigeria’s political structure lies at the heart of its developmental challenges.
This review explores Atiku Abubakar’s restructuring agenda in a neutral, analytical manner, focusing on the philosophical foundations, the policy mechanisms proposed, and anticipated impacts on Nigeria’s political stability, economic productivity, security architecture, and social cohesion.
1. THE PHILOSOPHY BEHIND THE ATIKU RESTRUCTURING VISION
Atiku’s restructuring philosophy is rooted in the belief that Nigeria’s overcentralised federal arrangement inhibits innovation, weakens accountability, and suppresses economic dynamism. His argument stems from two historical comparisons:
1.1. Nigeria Before Centralisation.
Atiku has always argued that before the era of military rule, Nigeria’s regions enjoyed significant autonomy. Each region controlled key aspects of its economy, including agriculture, education, public works, and taxation, remitting only a portion of its revenue to the center. This period saw strong competition among regions, leading to economic growth and socio-political experimentation.
Atiku’s rhetoric often invokes this era, not for romantic nostalgia but for its structural lessons. When governance is close to the people, productivity rises. When power is concentrated far away, inefficiencies multiply.
1.2. The Post-1966 Centralised Order.
Following successive military regimes, power gravitated toward the center. The federal government gradually assumed responsibility for education, policing, infrastructure, and taxation; areas typically administered by subnational governments in classical federations. For Atiku, this overcentralisation creates two negative outcomes:
• The federal government becomes overloaded and unable to effectively manage sectors that require local knowledge.
• States become fiscally dependent; lacking incentives for revenue generation or innovative governance.
Thus, the guiding principle of the Atiku restructuring vision is functional federalism, aligning governmental responsibilities with administrative capacity and local needs.
2. DEVOLUTION OF POWERS: REDEFINING FEDERAL – STATE RELATIONS
A major pillar of Atiku’s plan is the devolution of powers from the federal government to the states, based on the premise that Nigeria’s constitution centralises too many functions to itself.
2.1. Constitutional Realignment.
The Nigerian Exclusive Legislative List currently contains broad categories: policing, power generation, railway construction, prisons, minerals, and taxation. Areas that in many federations fall partly or wholly under state control. Atiku argues for a rebalancing of this list such that states assume greater control over sectors where they have comparative advantage or proximity advantage.
He envisions a Nigeria where:
• States can generate and distribute electricity independently;
• States can build and regulate rail networks;
• States can receive a greater share of natural resource revenues;
• Local governments answer primarily to states, not to the federal government; and
• States craft their own development strategies without excessive federal intrusion.
2.2. *Fiscal Federalism*
One of the central claims in the Atiku Plan is that political devolution must be accompanied by fiscal empowerment. Without resources, states can not bear the responsibilities devolved to them.
His proposals include:
• Increasing derivation principles or adopting hybrid revenue formulas;
• Allowing states more control over mineral extraction within their boundaries;
• Granting states greater taxation authority;
• Reducing federal overhead costs to free up national funds; and
• Encouraging competitive taxation among states.
The expected effect is not merely fiscal autonomy but creating a competitive environment in which states innovate to attract investment and talent.
3. STATE AND COMMUNITY POLICING: SECURITY REFORM THROUGH LOCALISATION
Security is one of the most urgent challenges in Nigeria, and Atiku places structural reform at the center of his solution. His plan recognises that security threats are locally rooted. Banditry in the North East and North West, farmer-herder conflicts and terrorist attacks in the North Central, militancy in the Niger Delta, secessionist unrest in the South East, and piracy, kidnapping and economic sabotage in the coastal areas. Rising from these, therefore, responses must be locally informed and locally coordinated.
3.1. The Argument for State Police
Atiku has been a long-standing advocate of state policing. His reasoning is based on the idea that:
• the federal police is overstretched;
• local officers understand terrain, language, and social dynamics;
• crime patterns vary across regions;
• States need the authority and flexibility to respond to specific threats; and
• a state police system, under his model, would complement rather than replace the federal police.
3.2. *Community Policing*
Atiku extends the logic to community policing; local security formations that operate under state structures but involve traditional rulers, community leaders, and neighbourhood committees.
The goal is a multi-layered security architecture:
• Federal police for national crimes;
• State police for regional threats; and
• Community policing for grassroots intelligence and early intervention.
3.3. Safeguards Against Abuse
Because concerns are often raised about possible political misuse of state police, Atiku proposes:
• Clear constitutional guidelines;
• Independent oversight bodies;
• Multi-level accountability frameworks; and
• Strong judicial review mechanisms.
Thus, the security reforms aim not merely to decentralise control but to increase responsiveness, reduce crime, and promote citizen-centred policing.
4. ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION THROUGH FREE-MARKET ENTERPRISE
Atiku Abubakar’s public service career and private life have often been associated with liberal economic philosophy, market-oriented policies, private sector-led growth, and reducing the role of government in direct business operations. His restructuring agenda reflects these principles.
4.1. Public-Private Sector Synergy
Atiku argues that for Nigeria to become competitive in the global economy, it must:
•Privatise inefficient state-owned enterprises;
• Deregulate sectors such as power and petroleum;
• Encourage domestic and foreign private investment;
• Strengthen competition laws and
• Improve regulatory capacity rather than expand state ownership.
4.2. Infrastructure-Led Industrial Growth
A crucial aspect of his plan is to unlock private capital through improved governance and clear regulatory frameworks in sectors like:
• Power generation;
• Rail and road infrastructure;
• Ports and logistics; and
• Industrial zones and free trade areas.
The belief is that the government should be an enabler and regulator, not a monopolist and player.
4.3. MSME and Innovation Support
Atiku consistently emphasises the role of:
• Small and medium enterprises;
• Startups and tech hubs;
• Youth entrepreneurship;
•Access to credit; and
• Skills development.
He believes Nigeria’s youth population is a potential engine of economic transformation if properly supported.
5. AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION: PRODUCTIVITY, MECHANIZATION, AND VALUE CHAINS
Agriculture remains the backbone of Nigeria’s rural economy, and Atiku’s proposals emphasise a shift from subsistence farming to mechanised, commercially competitive agriculture.
5.1. Policy Foundations
His plan reflects four key principles:
• Mechanisation: modern tools, irrigation systems, tractors, processing facilities.
• Land Reform: making land more accessible through clearer titles.
• Input Supply Reform: reducing inefficiencies in fertilizer distribution.
• Market Linkages: integrating farmers into value chains.
5.2. Agribusiness and Rural Industrialisation
Atiku envisions:
• Rural agro-processing centere;
• Targeted credit through development finance institutions;
• Partnerships between states and private investors; and
• Commercial farming clusters.
The intention is to link rural communities to national and export markets, reducing poverty while increasing national food security.
6. EDUCATION AND HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT
Human capital is central to the Atiku Plan. His proposals are built on the premise that Nigeria can not compete globally without a skilled, healthy, and innovative population.
6.1. Expanding Access and Quality
Atiku emphasises:
• Greater state involvement in designing educational systems suited to regional needs;
• Investment in teacher training;
• Curriculum reforms to align with modern skills; and
• Technology-enabled learning.
6.2. Technical and Vocational Education
He frequently argues that Nigeria must train millions of youths in:
• Technical trades;
• ICT and digital skills;
• Manufacturing and industrial competencies; and
• Entrepreneurship.
6.3. University Autonomy
A consistent theme is greater autonomy for universities, allowing them to innovate, manage finances, and form global partnerships without excessive federal control. A fact he ably demonstrates with the management of the American University of Nigeria, Yola.
7. *NATIONAL UNITY AND SOCIAL COHESION THROUGH STRUCTURAL REFORMS*
Although restructuring is often discussed in administrative or economic terms, Atiku frames it as a tool for nation-building.
7.1. Managing Diversity
Atiku has consistently maintained that Nigeria’s ethnic, cultural, and religious diversity requires a governance structure that promotes:
• Inclusion;
• Fairness;
• Balanced representation; and
• Local autonomy.
He insists that by devolving power, states gain the ability to develop policies that resonate with their unique social and cultural environments.
7.2. Addressing Perceptions of Marginalisation
Atiku’s restructuring proposals seek to:
• Reduce zero-sum competition for federal power;
• Enable regions to develop independently;
• Strengthen interregional economic cooperation and
• Promote political stability.
These measures aim to reduce the grievances that often fuel conflicts.
8. RESTRUCTURING AS ECONOMIC CATALYST: THE THEORY OF FEDERAL COMPETITIVENESS
An analytical reading of Atiku’s plan reveals an underlying economic theory: competitiveness through decentralisation.
8.1. Competitive Federalism
States that control their own economic destinies can:
• Compete for investment;
• Pursue unique development strategies;
• Optimize their natural resources; and
• Tailor tax policies for business growth.
8.2. Innovation Through Autonomy
In federations like Canada, Germany, and the United States, decentralisation often leads to:
• Policy experimentation;
• Regional innovation; and
• Locally tailored solutions
Atiku’s proposals echo these global trends.
9.IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES: A BALANCED ASSESSMENT
A neutral analysis must also consider obstacles to this extent. The D-37 considers the following as the obstacles to the full realization of the ATIKU PLAN:
9.1. Constitutional Rigidity
Amending Nigeria’s constitution requires:
Two-thirds of National Assembly members and
Two-thirds of state assemblies.
This makes restructuring a difficult, though not impossible, political project.
9.2. Resistance from Power Centers
Federal actors may resist losing authority, resources, or influence.
9.3. State Capacity Concerns
Some states lack administrative or financial capacity to assume devolved responsibilities.
9.4. Political Will
Restructuring requires a broad national consensus.
Thus, even well-articulated proposals must contend with institutional and political realities.
Can Atiku Abubakar overcome it? Yes, he can because he has not only demonstrated he has the intellect but also the willpower. Hence, he has not only reduced his ideas in a working document as a road map, but has always put himself forward to be given the mandate to steer the ship.
10. CONCLUSION: A STRUCTURAL BLUEPRINT FOR A COMPLEX NATION
Atiku Abubakar’s restructuring agenda is one of the most comprehensive among proposals from contemporary Nigerian political actors. At its core is the conviction that Nigeria’s development is constrained not only by policy gaps but by structural deficiencies in governance and design.
His plan attempts to address these through:
• Devolution of powers;
• Fiscal federalism;
• State and community policing;
• Economic liberalisation;
• Agricultural transformation;
• Human capital development; and
• Institutional reform, etc.
Whether or not one agrees with his political vision, the restructuring framework articulated by Atiku Abubakar contributes significantly to Nigeria’s ongoing discourse on federalism, development, and national renewal. It offers a blueprint; detailed, ambitious, and rooted in comparative federal theory, for reimagining governance in Africa’s most populous nation. AND AS 2027 BECKONS, THE D – 37 PROUDLY ENDORSES THE ATIKU PLAN AS THE ROAD MAP TO RETOOL NIGERIA.
Adum Ter Alex , Ph.D
Secretary
For: D -37.
SB E-news.
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