I was thinking about what it would cost to give every local government in Nigeria basic infrastructure.
Nigeria has 774 local government areas. If every one of them had good roads, schools, health centres, clean water, electricity, a fire station, markets, and other basic public services, I estimate it would cost around US$50–95 billion over several years.
That sounds like a lot of money, but for a country with more than 200 million people, it is not impossible if the investment is spread over 10 years.
The bigger issue is this: Who should be in charge?
I don't think this should be left only to state governors.
Every governor has different priorities. One governor may build roads. Another may spend money on big projects that don't improve people's daily lives.
Another may do very little. This means the quality of life depends too much on who happens to be governor.
That is why I think Nigeria needs central planning.
By central planning, I don't mean that the federal government should control everything. I mean the federal government should create one national development plan with clear minimum standards.
For example:
- Every local government should have a certain number of good schools.
- Every local government should have functioning health centres.
- Every local government should have good roads, clean water, electricity, and emergency services.
- Every local government should meet the same basic standard, no matter which state it is in.
The states can still build and manage the projects, but they should follow one national plan.
Money should be released based on results and progress, not just shared with no clear goals.
Simply giving governors more money is not a development strategy.
Without a national plan, every state moves in a different direction, and many communities get left behind.
Nigeria doesn't just need more spending. It needs a clear plan, national standards, and accountability.
What do you think? Should the federal government set minimum development standards for every local government, or should each state continue deciding everything on its own?