09/06/2026
SPECULATIVE REPAIR – WEEK 9: THE CREATION OF STATES
Subtitle: From 3 Regions to 36 Beggars.
Nigeria's transition from three regions to 36 states has fostered a dependency culture on federal handouts, undermining true federalism. Initiated by General Gowon's 1967 decree, the state's expansion aimed to weaken powerful regions, ultimately leading to economic inefficiency. Over 20 states rely on federal allocations for minimum wage payments, with 80% of revenues controlled by the federal government. A counterfactual exploration suggests that retaining fewer, autonomous regions could have created viable economies, reducing dependency and corruption. This structure might have empowered local governance, incentivized competition for investment, and fostered a citizen-focused approach, transforming the socio-economic landscape.
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Nigeria's transition from three regions to 36 states has fostered a dependency culture on federal handouts, undermining true federalism. Initiated by General Gowon's 1967 decree, the state's expansion aimed to weaken powerful regions, ultimately leading to economic inefficiency. Over 20 states rely....
