Think Yorùbá First has called for a major restructuring of Nigeria’s political system, proposing the creation of a “United States of Nigeria” made up of autonomous constituent nations with substantial powers over their internal affairs.
The organisation made the call in a statement issued on October 2, 2026, as it reflected on Nigeria’s 66 years of independence and argued that the country’s political structure should better recognise its different nations, languages, cultures, histories and identities.
Think Yorùbá First said it believes the future of Nigeria lies in “genuine federalism and meaningful autonomy,” advocating a constitutional arrangement under which constituent units would have greater authority to govern themselves, develop their economies, preserve their cultural identities and determine their own developmental priorities.
Under the proposed model, the organisation said constituent nations should have their own constitutions and institutions of government, with their powers clearly defined and protected by the federal constitution. It listed internal governance, economic development and resource management, education and cultural policy, infrastructure, regional development, local and regional security, and the preservation of indigenous languages and institutions among the areas that should largely fall under the authority of the constituent units.
The group also called for constituent units to have the capacity to establish appropriate security structures for the protection of their people and territories, provided such arrangements operate within a clearly defined constitutional framework.
Think Yorùbá First stressed that its proposal should not be interpreted as a call for the breakup of Nigeria, arguing that autonomy and national unity can coexist. It said communities should have greater control over matters directly affecting them while retaining a federal structure for issues requiring collective action.
Under the proposed arrangement, the federal government would retain responsibility for matters such as national defence, foreign affairs, currency, interstate affairs and other functions expressly assigned to it by the constituent units. The organisation argued that the federal centre should coordinate shared interests rather than exercise unnecessary control over matters it believes can be handled closer to the people.
“What can be decided closer to the people should not be decided from the centre,” the organisation stated.
Think Yorùbá First also argued that Nigeria’s various ethnolinguistic communities should be able to preserve their identities while participating in a common political and economic framework. It specifically referenced the Yorùbá, Igbo, Hausa, Ijaw, Kanuri, Tiv, Edo, Ibibio, Efik, Nupe, Gbagyi and other peoples as communities with distinct histories and identities.
The organisation said a restructured federation could allow constituent nations to pursue development according to their circumstances while maintaining institutions for cooperation and shared national interests.
It further called for a “new constitutional settlement” that would clearly define the powers of the federal government and constituent units, establish mechanisms for cooperation among them, protect regional autonomy and provide a democratic process through which Nigerians can determine the future structure of the federation.
The proposal comes amid renewed public discussion about restructuring and devolution of powers as Nigeria marks 66 years of independence. Recent calls from other civic and political groups have similarly focused on greater regional autonomy, fiscal federalism and the devolution of powers from Abuja.
Think Yorùbá First said it believes Nigeria can remain one country while operating under a fundamentally more decentralised federal arrangement.
“A country where autonomous nations govern themselves. A country where communities have greater responsibility for their own development and security. A country where cultural identities are protected. A country where the federal centre exists to serve common interests,” the organisation said.
It described the proposed “United States of Nigeria” as a constitutional direction aimed at giving practical meaning to federalism, self-government, cultural preservation and shared prosperity.