By Olatidoye Akeem
A Professor of Political Science at the University of Ilorin, Prof. Emmanuel Ojo, has urged Nigerians to embrace the true spirit of federalism as a way of fostering justice, equity, and national development.
Delivering the 291st Inaugural Lecture of the university on Tuesday in Ilorin, Ojo said Nigeria’s failure to internalize genuine federal principles has been one of the greatest obstacles to unity and progress.
Speaking on the lecture theme, “The Worship of an Unknown Deity,” the don observed that despite operating a federal constitution, Nigeria has struggled to practise true federalism in reality.
“Our nation has found it extremely difficult to imbibe the core values and tenets of federalism. Nigerians, as a people, have yet to develop the federal spirit required to accommodate one another in the pursuit of national integration,” he lamented.
Prof. Ojo explained that Nigeria’s plural character — with its many ethnic groups, religions, and cultures — demands deliberate efforts to strengthen unity and fairness in governance.
He argued that addressing the challenges of inclusion and representation requires a new model of governance, suggesting rotational presidency among the six geo-political zones as a practical step toward ensuring balance and stability.
The scholar also called for mass mobilisation of citizens, noting that development and integration cannot succeed without the active participation of the people.
“The masses are the real catalysts of national integration and development. Without them, government efforts will yield little result,” he said.
Prof. Ojo, who once served as Chief of Staff to the late Oyo State Governor, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, concluded by urging leaders and citizens alike to properly understand and apply the principles of federalism to promote peace and unity.
“The earlier we conceptualise federalism correctly, the better for our collective progress as a nation,” he added.
