Economist and Managing Director of Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Bismarck Rewane, has said that Nigeria cannot afford to maintain 36 states under the current structure.
Rewane made the remark on Wednesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today. He argued that the country spends excessively on administration.
“Nigeria cannot afford to have 36 states. It’s unviable. We spend too much money administering.
“This country is twice the size of California in terms of geographical space, and the number of people administering this country in terms of 774 local governments, 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. Managing what?” he stated.
Expanding on his point, Rewane said: “Take for instance, the old Western region is now split into several states being managed by governors, commissioners, special assistants and the likes. I think you have to rethink to restructure, whether you will go back to regionalism or not.”
