Tinubu's Regional Development Paradigm: Can Nigeria Revive the Awolowo Model?

Regional economic development is not a new concept in Nigeria, but the reintroduction of it by the Bola Tinubu administration has sparked renewed interest in the model. The Western Region Development of the 1960s, under Chief Obafemi Awolowo's leadership, remains one of the most successful regional development projects in Nigeria's history. The model included a well-structured education and health sector, agricultural settlements, industrial estates, and a thriving commerce sector, anchored by the Odua Group of Companies.

The current regional development paradigm is a revival of sorts, leveraging the successes of the Awolowo model while adapting it to the contemporary needs of Nigeria. The Tinubu administration is keen to learn from the past and build upon existing structures, rather than reinventing the wheel. In fact, the template provided by Awolowo's government can be reviewed and adopted or adapted by regional committees.

A key aspect of the Awolowo model was its focus on human capital development. The model started with free education and free health services, with the education sector extending from primary and secondary schools to technical, science, and humanities programs. This included the establishment of the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) to cater to those who would go on to higher education. In the health sector, primary health centres, General Hospitals, and a medical school were established to provide comprehensive healthcare services.

The financing of the regional development paradigm requires a clear structure, which is why a 25- to 50-year regional development plan is being proposed. This plan will outline programs and projects to be executed, along with their costs, benefits, and timelines. Each regional development committee or body will work with constituent states to present their plan, ensuring collaboration and cooperation in promoting and achieving regional developmental goals.

Nigeria's experience with regional governance has shown that it can be complicated, especially when state leaderships are from different political parties with varying ideologies. However, by building on the successes of the past and learning from past mistakes, the Tinubu administration hopes to create a more effective regional economic model.