10 things Nigeria’s state governors could do today to ameliorate the socio-economic crisis in the country without involving the federal government

Ayo Akinfe

[1] Kogi state can attract the likes of Siemens to build a 10,000MW hydro-electric power plant at Idah

[2] Kogi State can build a Niagara Falls-type tourist attraction at the confluence of the rivers Niger and Benue at Lokoja

[3] Taraba State can open the world’s largest nature reserve in Gembu

[4] Niger State can open the world’s largest cattle ranch in Mokwa

[5] Akwa Ibom State can attract investors to build Africa’s largest sea port at Ikot Abasi

[6] Ondo State can woo investors to build a railway line linking Akure, Idanre, Ondo, Owo, Ile-Oluji, Ore and Okitipupa to Apapa and Port Harcourt so its cocoa can get to port

[7] Rivers State can attract shipbuilders to open a yard at Degema

[8] Kwara State can woo the likes of Tate & Lyle to open the world’s largest sugar refinery at Jebba

[9] Anambra State can build a River Niger railway crossing linking Nzam with Illah in Delta State

[10] Zamfara State can open the world’s largest solar farm in say Shinkafi and Maradun local government areas

Our governors arejust hiding behind this excuse of over-centralisation. There is no law in Nigeria that prevents them from wooing investors and developing their states independent of the federal government.

Lagos State government has proven that you can get things done on your own if you want to. We have seen it with Eko Atlantic City, Lekki, Badagry and the Lagos light railway project.

Ayoakinfe@gmail.com