For years, Nigerian Presidents have trooped to Chatham House in London. They present policy. They take hard questions. They seek global validation. The world listens, because Chatham House gives national and continental leaders a neutral, credible platform.
Nigeria needs that same platform at home. We already have it. The Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, NIIA.
It is time we repurposed NIIA as Nigeria’s Chatham House for sub-national governments. And in doing so, redefine political debate from personality mucking and pettiness, the kind of “all is fair in politics” that President Tinubu himself once defended, to policy and accountability.
Our 36 states are no longer just waiting for Abuja. Governors are running security initiatives, agriculture programs, power projects, and investment drives. But where do they take these visions for serious scrutiny? Where do they meet the diaspora, investors, diplomats, and policy experts in one room?
Right now, the answer is nowhere. So narratives are shaped on Twitter. Deals are announced in press releases. And policy is debated in silos.
NIIA can change that.
Imagine a yearly “Sub-National Policy Forum” at NIIA, Victoria Island. The Governor of Benue presents her security and agricultural plan to ambassadors, World Bank reps, and the Nigerian diaspora in the UK, US, and Canada dialing in live. The Governor of Oyo defends his education and tech budget before development economists. The Governor of Borno outlines reconstruction and humanitarian strategy, and gets feedback from UN agencies on the spot.
No talking points. No staged crowds. Real questions. Real data. Chatham House Rules if needed, so honesty can flourish.
Benefits: First, accountability. Voters and the world will hear what is actually being done, not what is being tweeted.
Second, investment. Investors hate uncertainty. A credible NIIA platform signals seriousness and de-risks states.
Third, unity of ideas. When states present side by side, best practices spread faster than any circular from Abuja.
The Presidency already trusts Chatham House. Let us build our own. Fund NIIA properly. Protect its independence. Invite governors, opposition leaders, traditional rulers, and civil society.
One country, 36 voices, one credible stage.
Because if our Presidents must go to London to be taken seriously, then we have not finished building Nigeria at home.
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bcradle@ymail.com
