By Ayo Dada
ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU GCFR, THE “STUBBORN” PRESIDENT NIGERIA NEEDS…!
The 2014 National Conference, inaugurated by President Goodluck Jonathan, was tasked with addressing deeply entrenched issues that had historically hindered Nigeria’s development and unity.
The conference identified several key structural, political, and socio-economic problems that required urgent reform.
The primary problems identified included:
Over-centralization of Power:
Fiscal Imbalance and Dependence:
Issues with Federalism:
Structural Deficiencies:
Insecurity and Security Architecture:
Political and Electoral Issues:
Resource Control and Revenue Sharing:
Key Recommendations to Address Problems:
Restructuring:
Resource Control:
Local Government Autonomy:
Economic Diversification:
Remember, past presidents had constituted confabs during their tenure, and all came up with almost the same core structural problems listed above that had truncated Nigeria’s development, growth and unity.
Under Olusegun Obasanjo — the National Political Reform Conference 2005.
Under Goodluck Jonathan — the 2014 National Conference.
Under Ibrahim Babangida — political bureaus and constitutional debates.
Even under Sani Abacha — the Constitutional Conference 1994–1995.
They all talked but nothing was done about the recommendations because vested interests sat on them and the leaders were afraid to go against the powerful interests.
Then came President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is actively executing or pushing several of its key recommendations—especially in economic reform and decentralization.
Below is a clear mapping of President Jonathan’s 2014 CONFAB → Tinubu actions (what is actually happening now).
- State Police (CONFAB #1 Priority)
Confab recommendation: Create state police
President Tinubu is pushing for constitutional amendment and publicly backing decentralized policing. His government has confirmed plans to establish state police.
- Power Sector Decentralization
Confab recommendation: States should generate electricity independently
Tinubu has backed constitutional changes allowing states to control electricity markets
- Fiscal Reform / Revenue Transparency
Confab recommendation: Improve revenue sharing & accountability
The president ordered all oil & gas revenues paid into federation account which massively reduced leakages and fraud in NNPC system. Oil revenues now centrally remitted to boost public finance
- Removal of Fuel Subsidy (Indirect Confab Alignment)
Confab relevance: Confab pushed for economic sustainability & fiscal discipline
Tinubu removed fuel subsidy (2023) and ended the decades-long policy.
- Exchange Rate Unification.
Confab relevance: Economic reform & transparency
PBAT unified exchange rates, devalued the naira to reflect market reality through his
Currency reform which is part of broader economic restructuring
- Tax Reform & Simplification
Confab recommendation: Improve fiscal structure
The president is harmonising the tax system by reducing taxes from 60+ to fewer than 10 through his major tax reform led by fiscal policy team
- Infrastructure Expansion (Transport Reform Link)
Confab recommendation: Liberalize transport & infrastructure
PBAT has embarked on a massive highway & infrastructure projects, new national road corridors with $516M highway project to boost connectivity
- Economic Diversification & Growth Strategy:
Confab recommendation: Reduce oil dependency
Tinubu is Focusing on non-oil revenue
Investment growth & GDP expansion,
his reforms aimed at long-term economic growth and diversification
- Tax Harmonization: (Reducing Multiple Taxation):
Confab recommendation: Reduce burdens on businesses.
PBAT is pushing to harmonize taxes across states by targeting multiple taxation issues.
- Security Reform: (Central + Regional Strategy)
Confab recommendation: Improve internal security structure.
Tinubu strengthened military operations and regional security cooperation, appointed new security leadership (e.g., Nuhu Ribadu) and by expanding security operations and partnerships.
To those who are still falling for the noise and propaganda of the “coalition,” you need to understand what is behind their actions.
President Tinubu is RESTRUCTURING Nigeria in a way no other President dared to do, thereby stepping on toes of powerful cabals and interests who were benefitting from the old status quo, and don’t want that to change.
Ayo Dada.

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