Vice President Kashim Shettima has asserted that Nigeria’s biggest challenge in its federal system lies not in its structure, but in a pervasive deficit of fiscal responsibility across all tiers of government.
He, however, emphasised that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to bold reforms aimed at fostering a more functional and people-centered federal system.
A key pillar of this effort, he noted, is the administration’s push for local government autonomy.
Delivering the keynote lecture at the 17th Leadership Annual Conference and Awards, held Tuesday at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Abuja, Shettima, represented by Aliyu Modibbo Umar, Special Adviser to the President on General Duties (Office of the Vice President), called for greater accountability and reform to strengthen Nigeria’s fiscal federalism.
“There is no doubt that the Nigerian challenge, when carefully considered, lies less in the structure of our federalism and more in the deficit of our collective fiscal responsibility.
“The problems we attribute to our federal system often stem from the poor management of what is already within our grasp, not from any inherent flaw in our constitutional architecture.
“We have chosen the path of reform. It is bold, often difficult, but necessary. Our pursuit of local government autonomy is being realised through the sanctity of due legal process, as underscored by recent Supreme Court pronouncements”, Shettima said.
Cautioning against the wholesale importation of foreign federalism models, the Vice President cited examples from Canada, Germany, and Spain to highlight that every federation evolves according to its unique socio-political realities.
“No federal system is perfect. Each adapts to its own context. We must resist the temptation to romanticise foreign systems or prescribe imported solutions that fail to account for our distinct social, ethnic, and demographic complexities”, he said.
Shettima stressed the importance of tailoring Nigeria’s federal structure to meet national aspirations, calling for sincere dialogue and collective reform.
He pointed to recent policy initiatives such as fuel subsidy removal and tax reform legislation as evidence of the government’s commitment to building a fiscally responsible federation.
“What matters most to everyday Nigerians—whether in Owerri or Sokoto—is not the abstract theory of federalism but whether governance delivers water, electricity, schools, roads, and hospitals,” he added.
The Vice President urged stakeholders at all levels—federal, state, and local—to manage resources with prudence and transparency.
He underscored that real progress would only come when “every kobo is deployed with the people’s interest in mind.”
The event, organised by LEADERSHIP Newspaper, also honoured individuals and institutions exemplifying excellence in service and leadership.
Shettima congratulated the awardees, describing them as “the embodiment of the values we aspire to institutionalise: integrity, innovation, and impact.”
In closing, he commended Leadership for providing a platform for critical national discourse and for “shining the light on those who have chosen to lead with courage and competence.”
“May we never tire of striving for a better Nigeria,” he said.
Also delivering a goodwill message, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, emphasized the commitment of the federal government press freedom in the country.
He noted that his presence at the event represents a clear statement from the Federal Republic of Nigeria, particularly under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, regarding the importance of safeguarding press freedom.
“My being here as Attorney-General of the Federation is also a statement of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, particularly under the able leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and we also have the Vice President here, that we do not tamper with press free”, he said.
Fagbemi congratulated Leadership on its two decades in the media industry.
“Just a few years after the organization was established, the idea emerged to provide a panoramic view of performances across states and sectors, allowing us to honor those contributing to the nation’s development,” he noted.
The Chairman of Leadership Group, Mrs Zainab Nda-Isaiah, in her welcome address, called for a shift in how excellence is celebrated in Nigeria, urging that national awards should serve not only as recognition of achievement but also as a catalyst for broader inspiration.
She said the ceremony was not just about applause but about awakening the nation’s collective responsibility to strive for greater impact.
“I don’t think awards and accolades should be about recognition alone. More than that, they should also be about inspiration, especially in a harsh global economy where dog-eat-dog is the norm”, she said.
The annual event, which this year coincides with the 20th anniversary of Leadership Newspapers, brought together top government officials, business leaders, innovators and thought leaders under the theme “The Challenges and Opportunities in Nigeria’s Fiscal Federalism.”
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Mrs Nda-Isaiah paid tribute to the organisation’s late founder and her husband, Sam Nda-Isaiah, who established the media group in 2004 with a vision rooted in service and patriotism.
“Twenty years ago, our founding chairman ventured into newspaper publishing with a big idea — For God and Country. That vision continues to guide us, and by the grace of God, it will be passed on to the next generation,” she said.
Some of the awardees were, the governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, who bagged the Governor of the Year Award, others were Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, Umar Namadi, Abba Yusuf of Kano, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, and Senator Ademola Adeleke of Osun.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike was given Award for Outstanding Person in Governance and Infrastructure, Alhaji Aliko Dangote was given Person of the Year 2024 Award, the General Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank, Dame Adora Umeoni was given Banker of the Year 2024, Her Majesty, Olori Atuwatse 111, Queen of the Warri Kingdom got Social Impact Person of the Year 2024.
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Alhaji Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, was given Public Service Person of the Year 2024, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Politician of the Year 2024 among others.
