Renowned Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, reiterated the imperative for the restructuring of Nigeria during the Punch Nigeria Limited’s 50th Anniversary Lecture held at the Civic Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos, on Thursday.

Speaking at the event themed “Recovering the Narrative,” Soyinka emphasized that Nigeria must undergo restructuring to overcome its challenges, asserting that citizens should not endure prolonged hardships to achieve a better quality of life.

Soyinka, a playwright, emphasized that restructuring is the key to the sustainable development of the country. While acknowledging that leaders recognize its importance, he expressed concern that it has not been implemented for unspecified reasons.

He called on the nation’s leaders to cease misleading the populace, advocating for decentralization to bring the government closer to the people and enhance productivity as a result of citizens’ efforts, rather than relying solely on external support.

Soyinka clarified that restructuring, or what he personally terms “decentralization,” is not a panacea for ending hunger or religious conflicts but is crucial for the incomplete mission of nation-building. He highlighted its significance in fundamental aspects of existence, such as food production and access, stating that palliatives are only temporary and inadequate measures.

Expressing dissatisfaction with previous conferences on restructuring that yielded limited results, Soyinka urged the government to take genuine action, restore dignity to citizens, and ensure consistent access to three square meals a day for the people.