Former Minister of Education and CEO of Human Capital Africa, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, has criticized the ongoing constitutional amendment process by the National Assembly, describing it as a “charade” and a waste of public funds.
Speaking on Wednesday at the 7th Penpushing Anniversary and Annual Lecture in Abeokuta, where she delivered a keynote address titled “Reworking Nigeria’s Federalism: Perspectives on Restructuring and Fiscal Federalism,” Ezekwesili said Nigeria’s political system has been hijacked by what she called “criminal enterprise gangs” that manipulate governance for their own benefit.
According to her, rather than heed citizens’ demands for a new, people-driven constitution to correct long-standing imbalances, the National Assembly is engaged in a process that lacks legitimacy and will not bring meaningful change.
“The ongoing constitutional amendment cannot work; it is a charade and a waste of resources,” she said. “It’s like trying to patch a structurally defective building. The foundation is flawed. You don’t patch it—you rebuild it entirely.”
Ezekwesili argued that only a new constitution, founded on justice, equity, and devolution of powers, can address the country’s many crises—including insecurity, unemployment, poverty, and growing secessionist sentiments.
She called on the media to take the lead in advocating for a national constitutional conference that would allow all parts of the country to come together, engage in honest dialogue, and produce a new constitution to be ratified by the people through a referendum.
“We must have a constituent assembly elected by the people to discuss the kind of federalism that will make Nigeria work for everyone,” she said, citing Kenya’s constitutional reform as a model.
Ezekwesili also stressed that good governance is not mysterious or unattainable. “It has been done elsewhere and can be done here. But today’s politics across Africa has been overtaken by self-serving actors who have excluded the public from governance,” she added.
She emphasized that the quality of governance across the continent is closely tied to political leadership and institutions, warning that Africa’s economic progress will remain stalled unless its political systems improve.
Highlighting the benefits of true fiscal federalism, she noted that it would enable regional autonomy, improve accountability, and strengthen leadership, while satisfying calls for self-determination without threatening national unity.
Also speaking at the event, former Nigerian High Commissioner to the UK, Sarafadeen Ishola, said that Nigeria’s federalism is federal only in name, lacking practical autonomy and competitiveness among federating units.
“True federalism is not just about devolving power; it requires responsible governance, institutional clarity, and citizen-led accountability,” Ishola stated. He called for restructuring to be seen not as a regional demand, but as a national renewal agenda.
Penpushing Media founder, Mr. Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, said the annual lecture series aims to elevate public discourse on critical national issues. He added that the platform continues to shape narratives through quality journalism and initiatives to uplift humanity, including student training programs and academic awards for mass communication students.
Goodwill messages were delivered by former presidential spokesman Femi Adesina; Penpushing Editorial Board Chair, Deaconess Funke Fadugba; and Planning Committee Chair, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, among others.