Oborevwori Calls for Decadal National Conference; Okunnu Labels It Wasteful

Context Nigeria has convened several national conferences over the decades, most recently in 2014, to address ethnic, religious and developmental tensions. Past gatherings often produced recommendations that were never implemented because they lacked legal force or follow‑up mechanisms. Oborevwori’s call seeks to institutionalise dialogue so that outcomes translate into policy.

Key Facts Oborevwori announced a proposal for a decadal national conference backed by law, featuring preset thematic areas, an independent secretariat to monitor implementation, and legislative authority to turn resolutions into binding policy. He stressed that national dialogue should be a regular, structured part of governance rather than an ad hoc reaction to crises.

Okunnu countered that no country holds periodic national conferences on the schedule suggested, describing the idea as unnecessary and a misuse of scarce resources. He argued that Nigeria’s challenges stem from governance failures, not the absence of conferences, and pointed to long‑standing constitutional frameworks in the United States and conventions in the United Kingdom as models of stability.

What It Means If adopted, the decadal conference could provide a predictable platform for inclusive debate, potentially improving policy coherence and reducing the need for emergency summits. Critics warn that without strong political will and adequate funding, the initiative could become another costly talk‑shop with little impact.

Watch for legislative reactions in the National Assembly and any pilot efforts by state governments to test the conference model.