CAN NIGERIA EVER FIND TRUE UNITY? By Omoagbaje (@mo.agbaje on Instagram)

Nigeria, the land of green pastures and abundant promises, finds itself yet again at a critical juncture. The resistance of Northern lawmakers to the Tax Reform Bill proposed by the present administration has sparked heated debates across the country. At its heart lies a broader question: is the North holding Nigeria back, or is it merely a scapegoat for the failures of a lopsided federation?

Like a family that cannot agree on the seating arrangement at the dinner table, Nigeria’s regions have struggled to find harmony since the colonial amalgamation of 1914. The grievances are not new. What is new, however, is the growing impatience of Nigerians—young and old alike—who are tired of living in the shadow of what could have been. If the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) serves as any lesson, it is that no amount of coercion can hold a diverse union together without fairness, equity, and shared purpose.

THE GHOSTS OF UNITY
Let us for a moment draw a picture of another mighty entity: the USSR. This union of 15 republics, from Russia to Uzbekistan, came together under the banner of communism. They were diverse in language, religion, and culture, yet they were expected to function as one. For nearly 70 years, it worked—or seemed to. Beneath the surface, however, resentment brewed. Moscow’s control was heavy-handed, favoring some regions while stifling others. When the system could no longer carry its own weight, the USSR fell apart in 1991.

Nigeria, too, is a nation of nations. Over 250 ethnic groups and more than 500 languages exist within its borders, held together by a shared history of colonial conquest and an uneasy federalism. While the USSR fragmented into independent nations, Nigeria has held its unity, but at what cost? The question of whether this unity has been a blessing or a burden lingers like an unresolved quarrel in a marriage.

THE NORTH AND THE TAX REFORM DEBATE
The present administration’s Tax Reform Bill is the latest bone of contention. Its goal is noble: to increase internally generated revenue (IGR) by empowering states to rely less on federal allocations. This should, in theory, spur innovation and productivity. Yet, it has met stiff resistance, particularly from Northern lawmakers. Their argument? Many Northern states, dependent on federal allocations due to lower economic productivity, would struggle under such reforms.

Critics, however, see this resistance as emblematic of a larger issue. For decades, Northern Nigeria has wielded political power disproportionate to its economic contributions. Federal allocations, funded largely by oil-rich Southern states, have propped up Northern economies without corresponding efforts to modernize or diversify.

But let us not be too quick to cast stones. The North’s challenges are real. Centuries-old traditions, religious sensitivities, and systemic neglect have left much of the region struggling to catch up with the industrial and economic strides of the South. Blame alone will not solve this problem. Understanding and collective action will.

A HOUSE DIVIDED
It is no secret that Nigeria operates a system of federalism in name only. Power is concentrated in Abuja, and the 36 states are left to scavenge for crumbs. This imbalance is especially glaring in the North, where over 10 million children are out of school, and poverty is a daily reality for millions.

Yet, the South is not without its own challenges. The oil wealth of the Niger Delta has not translated into widespread prosperity, thanks to corruption and environmental degradation. Meanwhile, the South-West, with its economic powerhouse Lagos, and the South-East, home to industrious entrepreneurs, often feel shackled by a federal system that demands much and gives little in return.

This is the reality of Nigeria: a house divided against itself. The North resists reforms for fear of being left behind. The South demands more autonomy, weary of carrying the weight of the federation. And the Middle Belt, caught between, pleads for fairness and inclusion.

LESSONS FROM HISTORY
The collapse of the USSR was a wake-up call for nations around the world. It showed that diversity can be a strength only when every member feels valued and respected. For Nigeria, the lesson is clear: unity cannot be imposed; it must be earned.

The Tax Reform Bill is not just about money. It is a test of Nigeria’s willingness to embrace true federalism. To let each region thrive on its own terms while contributing to the collective good. To stop seeing autonomy as a threat and start seeing it as an opportunity.

THE WAY FORWARD
The road to true unity will not be easy, but it is necessary. Here’s what Nigeria must do:

1. Empower the Regions: States should control their resources and pay taxes to the federal government, not the other way around. Let the North capitalize on its agricultural wealth, the South-South on its oil, and the South-West on its innovation.

2. Invest in Education: The North’s education gap is a national crisis. Without urgent action, the region’s challenges will continue to hold Nigeria back.

3. Build Trust Across Regions: The South must advocate for reforms that benefit all, not just a few. The North must see progress as a shared goal, not a zero-sum game.

4. Tackle Corruption: Across the board, Nigeria’s leaders must prioritize accountability over personal gain. Without trust in leadership, no reform will succeed.

A DREAM OF WHAT COULD BE
Imagine a Nigeria where the North becomes the breadbasket of Africa, its fields lush with crops that feed the continent. Where the South-East’s entrepreneurial spirit transforms it into a hub of industry. Where the South-West leads in technology and innovation, and the Niger Delta flourishes as a beacon of sustainable oil production. This is not a pipe dream; it is a possibility.

But for this vision to come to life, Nigeria must face its divisions head-on. The resistance to the Tax Reform Bill is not just about taxes. It is about a nation at war with itself, struggling to decide whether to embrace its diversity or let it tear the country apart.

As we debate the future, let us not forget that Nigeria is more than the sum of its parts. Its strength lies not in uniformity but in the richness of its differences. The North is not an enemy, nor is the South a saviour. Together, they are Nigeria. And together, they must rise.

*Omoagbaje* writes with a love for Nigeria and a belief in its ability to overcome its challenges.