Former Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, on Tuesday advocated the adoption of the “Jethro Principle” as a framework for addressing Nigeria’s governance challenges, saying greater devolution of powers and resources remains critical to efficient leadership, accountability and national development.
Mimiko made this call while delivering a lecture titled “The Government and Politics Mountain” at the Pastors’ Seed Event of the 74th Annual Convention of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), held under the theme “Mountain Movers”.
Drawing inspiration from Exodus, chapter 18, the former governor said Nigeria must embrace a governance structure that decentralises authority, arguing that excessive concentration of power at the centre has contributed to many of the country’s persistent political and socio-economic challenges.
According to him, Moses experienced administrative exhaustion and governance bottlenecks after attempting to lead millions of people from the centre alone until his father-in-law, Jethro, advised him to delegate authority to capable leaders over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.
“The Jethro Principle teaches us that effective governance must be built on merit, capacity and capability,” Mimiko said.
He added that authority and responsibility should be devolved to lower levels of government to enable local communities to address their peculiar challenges, while only issues of national importance should remain with the central government.
He said, “Power and responsibility must be pushed closer to the people so local issues can be handled locally, while only national matters rise to the centre. That is the template for true federalism.”
While acknowledging ongoing efforts by the administration of President Bola Tinubu to decentralise policing, resource management and decision-making to sub-national governments, Mimiko described the Jethro model as “a vital structural tool for dismantling systemic governance failure”.
He attributed many of Nigeria’s governance problems to excessive centralisation, identifying ethnocentrism, corruption, insecurity, poverty and poor leadership as the country’s five major political mountains.
“Centralised government cannot effectively manage a multi-ethnic, multicultural and multi-religious nation like Nigeria.
“We need subsidiarity. Leaders closest to the people must be empowered to solve problems closest to the people.”
Mimiko also urged Christians and Nigerians of all faiths to participate actively in politics, describing government and politics as strategic spheres of influence that determine the nation’s future.
He said politics should not be viewed merely as a struggle for power but as the process through which authority is exercised for the common good, while government serves as the institution that deploys such authority to organise society.
According to him, Christians have a biblical responsibility to engage in governance because public policies directly affect citizens’ welfare, including security, education, employment and religious freedom.
Citing biblical teachings, he said God’s mandate for government is anchored on justice and responsible stewardship, with leaders expected to protect the poor and the vulnerable.
The former governor cited the Good Samaritan as a model of compassionate leadership, while describing Nehemiah as an example of a governor who confronted corruption.
