The Delta state governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has declared that Nigeria’s economy is recovering from recent shocks, crediting what he described as “bold and courageous” reforms by President Bola Tinubu, while calling for a constitutionally backed national conference to deepen unity and inclusive governance.
Speaking at the centenary lecture of the Yoruba Tennis Club in Lagos, Oborevwori argued that the removal of fuel subsidy and the liberalisation of the naira – policies that triggered widespread hardship in the short term – were beginning to stabilise the economy.
“After the initial hiccups of his macroeconomic stabilisation programmes, I can say without any fear of contradiction that the economy is on the rebound,” he said, framing the reforms as necessary to “jump-start” growth.
The governor linked the policy shift to improved public finances, particularly at the subnational level, where increased allocations have, he said, enabled states and local governments to resume infrastructure spending and meet basic obligations. A few years ago, he noted, many tiers of government struggled to pay salaries; today, councils are once again undertaking capital projects.
Yet beyond the immediate economic outlook, Oborevwori used the platform to sketch a broader political prescription: the institutionalisation of a national conference to be convened every decade. Unlike previous ad hoc dialogues, often triggered by crises, he proposed a permanent structure – backed by legislation and supported by an independent secretariat – to ensure continuity and implementation.
“Nigeria must embed structured, recurring engagement into its governance architecture,” he said, arguing that such a forum should bring together federal and state actors, traditional rulers, civil society, the private sector, and youth and women’s groups to review national priorities and strengthen cohesion.
The proposal reflects a wider concern among political leaders that Nigeria’s governance model remains reactive, responding to flashpoints rather than anticipating them. Oborevwori suggested that regularised dialogue could shift the country towards what he termed “proactive nation-building”.
He defined inclusive governance as a system that guarantees representation, participation and fairness across Nigeria’s diverse social groups, particularly the most vulnerable, and warned that national unity would remain fragile without deliberate efforts to build a shared identity.
Part of that effort, he said, should include reforms to the National Youth Service Corps and the education curriculum to promote a stronger sense of history, culture and civic responsibility.
“It is imperative for us as a nation to invest in initiatives that cultivate a collective identity,” he said, calling for programmes that “inspire pride and stoke patriotism”.
Drawing on Delta state as a case study, Oborevwori pointed to his administration’s MORE agenda – an acronym for Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms, and Enhanced Peace and Security – as an example of how inclusive policies can translate into tangible outcomes. He cited infrastructure projects designed to bridge ethnic divides, expanded healthcare access reaching millions, and large-scale empowerment schemes.
He also emphasised the role of leadership in navigating difficult reforms, arguing that effective governance requires the willingness to take unpopular decisions in the long-term interest of the country.
“A true leader must possess the will to take tough but necessary decisions,” he said.
The event, attended by political and civic elites, underscored the enduring influence of the Yoruba Tennis Club, founded in 1926, as a forum for policy debate. Lagos governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described its centenary as a milestone in Nigeria’s civic life, praising its role in shaping national discourse.
For Oborevwori, however, the message was less about celebration than direction: that economic reform, if paired with structured inclusion, could yet provide a pathway to a more cohesive Nigerian state.
