Nigeria’s non-oil export sector and the quest for federalism

Sir: The need to diversify Nigeria’s revenue base has continued to gain traction by the day, especially in the light of recent economic challenges that were largely occasioned by over-dependence on oil and gas revenue.The drastic fall in oil prices and the foreign exchange crisis it triggered, reverberated across the entire spectrum of the Nigerian economy, resulting in job losses, inflation, and untold hardship for Nigeria’s already beleaguered masses; and ultimately lead to Nigeria’s first economic recession in a quarter of a century. 
 
It is generally known that over 70 per cent of government revenue comes from the oil and gas sector, this fact puts Nigeria in a precarious situation, especially in view of emerging global trends that is characterised by a shift away from traditional forms of fossil-fuel based energy, to alternative energy sources, thus under-scoring the critical need for Nigeria to rapidly diversify its revenue base. It is pertinent to note that contrary to the general impression that the economy requires diversification, what is in fact required is the diversification of Nigeria’s sources of income, and the strengthening of the non-oil sectors of the economy. 
 
This submission is highlighted by a 2016 World Bank report which revealed that the Nigerian oil and gas sector accounts for only 11 per cent of Nigeria’s gross domestic product and employs less than three per cent of Nigeria’s working population, yet disproportionately accounts for more than 90 per cent of foreign exchange earnings, hence emphasising the need for a strategic alternative to oil and gas revenue. To this end it is suggested that there should be a conscious and deliberate effort on the government to undertake institutional and regulatory reforms necessary to eliminate structures that impede the development of the economy and by extension the non-oil export sector.

It is noteworthy that Nigeria’s golden economic era in the 50’s and 60’s was largely non-oil export driven. The then regions, unrestrained by a suffocating unitary structure harnessed their respective comparative advantages, to finance and develop infrastructure, provide social services and aid the rapid growth of the national economy and concurrently facilitated the creation of a diversified revenue base for the nation.

This state of affairs was made possible only as a result of the equitable and broad distribution of economic power to the regions by the Republican Constitution of 1963.
 
However, today, Nigeria’s federating units are glorified appendages and outposts of the Federal Government, constantly locked in a desperate, never-ending struggle for the dwindling revenue generated from the oil and gas sector. If this unhealthy state of affairs is to change, then Nigeria must grow its non-oil exports, and if that is to be accomplished, then the current administration will have to implement its manifesto and as promised, initiate action to amend our constitution with a view to devolving powers, duties and responsibilities to state and local governments in order to entrench true federalism and the federal spirit.

The devolution of power to states would serve as a catalyst for the development of non-oil exports, restart Nigeria’s industrialisation-drive, create jobs, strengthen the economy, and expand the nation’s income streams, whilst engendering sustainable economic growth through greater exports and import-substitution, and simultaneously transforming Nigeria from a seemingly mono-product economy, to a full-fledged industrial economy. It is prayed that Nigeria’s leadership will see the urgent need to take the ostensibly hard decision of devolving economic power to the states in order to deliver Nigeria from poverty and under-development and to usher in a new era of economic growth and prosperity for Nigeria and Nigerians.
Ugochukwu Amasike.