I expect the National Assembly to soon pass a bill into law that will provide the following constitutional roles for Nigeria’s six geo-political zones before next year’s elections

Ayo Akinfe

[1] Security and second tier policing - I look forward to a 42 state structure with each geo-political zone made up of seven states. Under this arrangement, the geo-political zone will be responsible for regional policing. Each zone will have a body similar to Amotekun but four out of the seven governors need to approve deployment for major operations to prevent governors using these bodies as private armies

[2] Secondary healthcare - While states will provide primary healthcare, the geo-political zone will be responsible for secondary healthcare. This will involve 12 specialist hospitals established, with two in each geo-political zone. These shall include dermatology, optometrics, renal failure, cardialogy, neurology, ear/throat/nose, cancer, Hiv/Aids, orthopedia, rheumatics, tropical diseases and sickle cell anaemia

[3] Power plants - Each geo-political zone will be obliged by law to operate at least one power plant generating no less than 5,000MW of electricity. With seven states involved, they should benefit from economy of scale costs. Individual states will then be responsible for distribution and transmission

[4] Holding a stake of about 25% in an industrial conglomerate - For some reason, state capitalism has failed woefully in Nigeria. However, it is thriving in other African countries through say Cocobod, Egypt Air, Ethiopian Airlines, etc. To prevent more wastage, geo-political zones will be compelled by law to take out minority stakes in industrial conglomerates. However, it must not exceed 25%

[5] Integrated railway network - Every geo-political zone must construct an integrated railway network that links up all of its seven states. This will augment the national railway network

[6] Post-graduate university - Local government is responsible for primary school, while states are responsible for secondary and tertiary education. However, the geo-political zone will be responsible for post-graduate education. Each zone will be obliged to open at least one dedicated post-graduate university

[7] Being twinned with an industrial zone in a G-10 country - Each geo-political zone must be twinned with an industrial zone in a major economic power. I am looking at Germany’s Rhine-Ruhr Valley, the UK’s Tyne and Wear region, Silicon Valley in the US, Canada’s Prairie provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, etc. Obviously the goal will be to catch up

[8] Industrial development bank - Each geo-political zone must create an industrial investment credit corporation that will provide low-interest loans to manufacturers, farmers and service providers

[9] Women’s vocational training centre - Constitutionally, the states will be responsible for women’s affairs. As part of this programme, each state must provide at least one women’s vocational training centre while the Nigerian woman can be equipped with the skills to compete in the global economy

[10] Industrial cities - Each geo-political zone must construct at least one dedicated industrial city. The idea here is to create industrial hubs that can serve as blue chip hubs. They will be provided with power, water, security, housing, etc up to international standards and will be ready to host say 50 multinational companies should they decide to relocate to Nigeria tomorrow

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