Ex-envoy, others call for restructuring

A former Nigerian Ambassador, Yemi Farounbi, on Thursday called for the urgent restructuring of Nigeria’s governance architecture as a strategic response to rising insecurity and growing strain on the country’s democratic system.

He made the call at a symposium organised by the National Association of Public Affairs Analysts, held at the Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, with the theme, “Nigeria’s Current Challenges and the Way Out.”

Farounbi, who chaired the occasion, described security as the most critical issue confronting the country, stressing that it must be urgently addressed through fundamental restructuring.

He said, “Nigeria is a nation of paradox. The country’s abundant human and natural resources have not translated into meaningful development due to structural deficiencies, weak institutions, and poor implementation of policies.

“Nigeria’s challenges are not rooted in a lack of knowledge or ideas, but in a persistent absence of discipline, accountability, and effective institutional structures. Nigeria’s problem is not the absence of solutions, but the absence of structure and responsibility to implement those solutions.

“Insecurity remains the clearest indicator of systemic failure, and no nation can make progress when its security architecture is weak and its institutions are fragmented.”

The former diplomat called for collective national responsibility, noting that “the failure of Nigeria is the failure of its people,” and warning that no society can rise above the productivity, discipline, and civic responsibility of its citizens.

He also urged political leaders and citizens to embrace reforms that would strengthen governance structures, improve accountability, and restore public trust in state institutions.

In his contribution, the Convener of The Alternative Movement, Segun Showunmi, examined Nigeria’s democratic trajectory, noting that while the Fourth Republic has recorded uninterrupted electoral cycles since 1999, its democratic depth remains fragile.

Represented by Lateef Aremu, he said that although elections have been conducted consistently, issues such as elite dominance, weak internal party democracy, economic hardship, and declining voter confidence continue to undermine democratic legitimacy.

Presenting a paper titled “Nigeria’s Fourth Republic at a Crossroads: Challenges and Prospects Ahead of the 2027 General Election,” Showunmi argued that the country’s democracy is caught between electoral continuity and genuine democratic consolidation.

He warned that the build-up to the 2027 general elections represents a critical turning point for Nigeria’s political system, adding that failure to address institutional weaknesses could deepen public distrust in democratic governance.

He also called for urgent reforms in electoral administration, stronger political party structures, and greater responsiveness from political elites to citizens’ needs.

Also speaking, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Niyi Akintola, lamented that insecurity not only threatens lives and property but also undermines investment, disrupts agricultural production, weakens the education system, and drains public resources.

“Nigeria’s development prospects remain severely constrained by persistent insecurity, rising poverty, and institutional weaknesses that require urgent policy attention,” he said.

Akintola called for stronger legal and institutional frameworks to enhance security operations, improve justice delivery, and ensure accountability within the system.

In his remarks, the NAPAA Secretary, Jaye Ajayi, highlighted the importance of civic engagement and informed discourse in addressing societal challenges. He described the platform as an initiative aimed at sharing ideas and enlightening both citizens and authorities on prevailing political and social issues.

“Membership of the group requires individuals who possess strong analytical skills and the ability to proffer practical solutions to societal problems,” he said.

Also speaking, the Chairman of NAPAA, Seun Adelore, said decentralising power would enable regions to harness their resources more effectively and drive sustainable development.

The event brought together scholars, legal practitioners, political actors, and public affairs analysts to examine the intersection of insecurity, governance challenges, and Nigeria’s democratic trajectory ahead of the 2027 general elections.