This allows the central or federal government to share governmental powers between the central or federal government and the components regions, state, etc. With the total area of 923,768 km, Nigeria can not justifiably be administered by a lone leviathan from the top. It established that the resources of a particular state is not totally owned by the federal government. Other specific reasons for the increasing demand for decentralisation are: Central governments increasingly are finding that it is impossible for them to . The availability of resources in a particular region and the need for that area to control the resources has also been seen as a reason for a federal system in Nigeria. In a unitary constitution which opposes federal principles, everything belongs to the central government; the federating unit does not exist, let alone agitating for resource control. This simply means that federalism in Nigeria provides accommodation, an institutional arrangement which gives the component units equal and coordinate jural status. Justice Udo Udoma is of the view that regionalism was introduced by the colonialists in order to divide and rule, and weaken true national unity in Nigeria. This post will give you some insight into why federalism was adopted as the system of governance in Nigeria. Adobe d C Present Nigeria was formed by the amalgamation of two regions which many see as a big influence in why federalism was later adopted by the British and later on by Nigerian leaders as at the time of independence. INTERNAL COLONIALISM IN NIGERIA Some of the reasons for the adoption of federalism in Nigeria are the diversity of the nation and the desire for political, cultural and social identity of a people of over 250 ethnic groups, several languages, diversities and a lot of political traditions; the desire for some form of Each state has the same level of self-governance. Academia.edu uses cookies to personalize content, tailor ads and improve the user experience. Nigeria thus consists of various ethnic groups and sub-national states, all of which are at the mercy of the Central government. 3. Since federal systems have been formed for different reasons and to >> Federalism in Nigeria can be traced to Sir Frederick Lord Lugard , when the Northern and Southern protectorates were amalgamated in 1914. Federalism in India. READ ALSO: History of democracy in Nigeria from 1960. Why do nations federate?, what are the factors or conditions to have necessitated the adoption of federalism?, how is a federation to be organized?, how is power to be shared between the levels of government in a federation?, is federalism a means to an end or an end itself?, why do some federations succeed and others fail?. Take for example, in the Nigerian case of Attorney General of Federation v Attorney General of Abia and others (2002) 3 NCLR 1ar p 54, the issue of resource control in a true federalism was the bone of contention in that matter. If you answer to the above questions is no, then you lucky to be here. we are proud to nigeria our inherited country,god bless nigeria. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Reasons for the Adoption of Federalism in Nigeria. Besides the Big Three Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba, there are other macro and micro ethnic minorities in the country. It furthers the University's objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide Check your inbox to be the first to know the hottest news. These crises flow from issues such as fiscal federalism, corruption, credible elections, tribal politics, ethno-religious conflicts, and disdain for the rule of law. So for effective governance of a country of this big size, federalism has to be adopted. /Width 371 However, the practice of fiscal federalism in Nigeria is a negation of true federalism. /BitsPerComponent 8 Rather there has been more challenges than benefits of this federal system. Nigeria is quite a big country with an area of 923,768 km2. Your email address will not be published. It is also an undisputed fact that the Hausas and Yorubas fought Biafra to keep the unity of Nigeria. 1. From that date, the concept of federalism incorporated the idea of patterned contact at two levels: at the governmental level between the participating units, and among the citizens of these different units (Dare, 1979:26). "There are reasons why some nation-states opt for federalism. Asst. Since 1954 successively Nigerian constitution had adopted the federal system of government without much emphasis on the unity or disunity it has accorded to Nigeria. Post-independence creation of states and further division of states created after independence was done as a framework for the development of Nigeria. This prototype edition of the daily Federal Register on FederalRegister.gov will remain an unofficial informational resource until the Administrative Committee of the Federal Register (ACFR) issues a regulation granting it official legal status. Insecurity and the desire for union are the main reasons for the shift from unitary system of government to federal system of government in 1954. *$( %2%(,-/0/#484.7*./. C Given the size of Nigeria, it lays claims to being the Giant of Africa. Many nations in the international community recognizes her as such. Generally speaking, one of the reasons for federalism is common historical or ancestral background. As a Nigerian, it is important to understand some basic things about the system of governance in Nigeria and why it is so. After nearly three decades of cumulative military rule, the country returned to civilian governance in 1999 under a presidential system of government. Instead of designing a government that should unite the different elements in Nigeria, the colonialists fully adopted federal stem of government in 1954 and created greater regional autonomy. Since Nigeria is a heterogeneous nation and Federalism is more practicable in such kind of nation, it is an ideal system of government. Nigeria is confronted to the boomerang effects of the evolution of its federalism. Unity of the country: 3.3 3. Email Address. >> Regrettably, this system is founded on a militarily-conceived constitution lacking a fully enforceable bill of rights and clear governmental functions. Problems of Nigerian Federalism 1) Revenue Allocation: This has been a problem in Nigeria. The paper begins by placing the question in an historical context examines its different phases and characters. /ProcSet [/PDF /Text ] In Nigeria, there are different and distinct ethnic groups brought together by colonization. For this alone, one thinks in consonance with the conviction of dominant scholarship, that such clustering and bundling of diverse identities in an amalgamative sense, in the case of Nigeria, is too, an irreconcilable British experimentalism of the federal principle. } !1AQa"q2#BR$3br /Subtype /Image /Type /Page 74 . The United States, Canada, India, France and Australia adopted federalism because of the desire for security by the various ethnic units. ideology, federalism becomes the only solution to ensure peace and unity amongst the. Thus, federalism seemed to be the only option left for Nigeria because it allows for popular participation in government. /F3 12 0 R Constitutionalism in Nigeria has been crisis-ridden since independence in 1960. %PDF-1.5 The advanced economies where Nigeria had borrowed leaves from, such as USA practice federalism. Geographical nearness of the component states to each other and the state network of roads and transportation. Federalism is a method of segregating powers so that the central and local governments are each within a domain, harmonizing and autonomous. From the above explanation, one can rightly say that the constitution of Nigeria and United States of America are federal constitutions while the constitution of France and the Republic of Ireland are Unitary constitutions. It was under the 1954 constitution that federal system of government was fully adopted. If the desire to remain separate does not exist, the the association will not be federal but unitary with some delegation of powers to local government. The calls for restructuring have been louder particularly from the southern part of Nigeria. What were the reasons for the adoption of federalism in Nigeria? Multi-Ethnicity Nigeria is a country with a lot of ethnic groups. REASONS FOR ADOPTION OF FEDERALISM According to IDEA (2015:3), federalism is adoption for the following reasons: Scale: This credited the operation of federalism to the adoption of democracy which allowed for citizens to participate directly in political life. The Hausa Fulani and the Minorities feared the domination of political powers by the Igbos and Yorubas. All rights reserved. We can offhandedly list all of the reasons for the adoption of federal system in Nigeria. Resource control: 3.7 7. It advocates good governance and a participatory approach to constitutional review as the foundations for strong constitutionalism in Nigeria. There was just the Northern Protectorate and the Southern Protectorate. Many Nigerian ethnic groups began to agitate for their own states. ), Constitutionalism, Constitution Making and Constitutional Reform in Africa: Contemporary Perspectives from Sub-Saharan Africa, Chapter IX: The politics and policies of oil deregulation in Nigeria: Implications and policy suggestions. Critically, after that train, every other train went to Nigeria from Nigeria, indicating the enormity of the wall of enmity demarcating Nigeria from the sovereign State of Biafra. The construct of federalism, which originates with the concept of intergovernmental relations, dates back to the Greek civilization. Indeed, whatever scholarly connotations they bear, one strongly believes that they all enjoy one clear focus. In light of this, a constitution is said to be federal when its operates two levels of government, that is the federal and state, and each of this level exercise its different powers without interference by the other level. ! Parliamentary and Unitary system of government were in operation in Nigeria between 1914 and 1946. /Height 235 Another major reason why federalism was adopted in Nigeria is the multiple ethnic backgrounds in Nigeria. Prior to independence, it is believed that the British adopted federalism because it favored their interest. Do you know the reasons for federalism in Nigeria? The regional government had power over matters that are listed under the residual list. In developing countries like India, Iraq and Nigeria, federalism has either failed to close developmental gaps and ethno-communal tensions among various states or, more worryingly, in some. INTRO: Federalism has been approached with variegated definitions such that one might argue that there are as much definitions of federalism as there are authors on the subject. Unfortunately, since the formation of Nigeria and adoption of this system of governance in the country has not seen much effect of federalism. Differences between 1960 and 1963 constitution of Nigeria, Differences Between First, Second and Third Degree Murder, Best Lawyers In The World (With Pictures): Top 10 Most Popular, Factors that Limits Independence of the Judiciary in Nigeria, Statute of Fraud: Contracts Required to be in Writing, Advantages And Disadvantages Of a Limited Liability Company (LLC), Richest Christian Musicians In The World: Top 10 Wealthiest, Countries With The Highest Minimum Wage 2022: Top 13, Best Handworks/Skills To Learn In Nigeria 2023: Top 12 Most Lucrative, Richest Engineers In Nigeria 2022: Top 10 Highest Paid, Cheapest Places to Live in the United Kingdom 2022: 12 Most Affordable, Cheapest Places/Cities To Live In Nigeria 2022. Between 1960 and 1996, the three regions have been divided into smaller entities which are now known as states and their boundaries were reorganised. Matters, enumerated in the exclusive list are selected for the federal authority, while matters that fall within the concurrent list are selected for the federal government, and the regions. Federalism is a mixed form of government where there is a general government always known as the central or federal government and regional governments which could be provincial or states governments. /F4 15 0 R Federalism was implemented in Nigeria as way back as 1946 during the British colonial era. By every political barometer, this is a thought-provoking account of the Nigeria-Biafra political imbroglio. According to Ayoade (2009:iii): Nigerians have come to identify the first republic 1960- 66 as the golden age of federalism in Nigeria. Federalism shares power between the central and regional governments; thus promoting efficiency in service delivery and governance. stream You are welcome dear reader. One of the major reasons why countries choose federalism is because of size. But besides these three major tribes, there are over 350 other smaller tribes with diverse languages and dialects. The history of Ijaw, Edo, Igala, Yoruba, Igbo, Nupe and Hausa Kingdoms are enriched with social-political relationships that existed before the emergence of the white man. /ColorSpace /DeviceRGB Federalism therefore involves the linkage of individuals, groups and policies in lasting but limited union in such a way as to provide for the energetic pursuit of common goals while maintaining the respective integrities of all parties. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Your email address will not be published. The political parties involved in the first republic were more formed on a regional basis. This has led to a deep sense of alienation and politics of ethnic identity. It is important to also reason that small states are prone to domination and sometimes control by the big ones. 7. Historical experience 3.2 2. 4 0 obj The 1951 constitution gave more strength to regionalism with the creation of two chamber legislation in the northern and western Nigeria. Federalism was favoured among other systems of government in a bid to averting . Trouble for INEC staff who violated Electoral Act during presidential polls as c 53 things to do with your boyfriend: fun ways to spend time together, Presidential election: Jack-Rich salutes Tinubu, Shettima over victory, Maritime workers hail Supreme Court over old naira notes, says cargo can now leave ports, Dating apps in Nigeria: best applications to help you find the one. 19 more states were created in 1976 in order to score more political advantage by the Murtala-Obasanjo regime against those that favor General Yakubu Gowon. . Another reason why federalism is adopted by any country is that of its population. Federalism was the only solution to ensure peace and unity amongst the leaders and the citizens and that was why federalism was adopted into the Nigerian political system. It is on this footing, herewith, that one can properly understand the rational for, and theory of federalism, what and why certain trends theme up federal-state relations in Nigeria, and the features of federal-state relations in Nigeria. In this article, i will comprehensively discuss the reasons for federalism in Nigeria. The constitution must be rigid to avoid frequent and unnecessary changes. %&'()*456789:CDEFGHIJSTUVWXYZcdefghijstuvwxyz Keep it up , Yes , I love it and I was sentitize on those reasons. Hon. There must be a formal decision of government powers by the constitution between the federal and state government. In Nigeria, the main reason for the adoption of a federal arrangement was the sociological complexity of the society, its ethnic and geographical diversity. Under this type, there exist a balkanization of formerly unitary state near disintegration and its diversities which progress to a state.

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