Nature and Structure of Nigerian Federalism

 Structure of Nigeria Federalism

1960-1966

Declared itself a republic and replaced the post of Governor-General with the post of President, a national bicameral parliament was established and the country was a federation of the three regions. The Mid-Western Region was formed from the Western Region in 1966, and Lagos, the capital, was effectively governed as an unofficial fourth region outside the bounds of the Western Region.

1967-1975

After the first coup and under the short-lived military government of Aguiyi-Ironsi, the country was reorganized under a central government. Following the counter-coup which resulted in Aguiyi-Ironsi’s deposition and assassination, Nigeria was reorganized as a federal country, with three of the regions being divided into newer entitles and all first level subdivisions being renamed as states:

Eastern Region was divided into East- Central (Enugu), Rivers (Port Harcourt) and South-Eastern (Calabar) states;

Northern Region was divided into Benue-Plateau (Jos), Kano (Kano), Kwara (Ilorin), North-Central (Kaduna), North-Eastern (Maiduguiri), and North-Western (Sokoto) states.

Western Region was divided into Lagos (Lagos) and Western (Ibadan) states.

Mid-Western and the states of former Eastern Region made a bid to secede from Nigeria as the states of Biafra and Republic of Benin, resulting in the Nigerian Civil War.

1976-Till Date

In 1976, six years after the civil war, the states were further reorganized:

Benue-Plateau state divided into Benue (Makurdi) and Plateau states;

East-Central state divided into Anambra and Imo (Owerri) states;

Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) formed from parts of Niger and Plateau states;

North-Eastern state divided into Bauchi (Bauchi), Borno, and Gongola (Yola) states;

Niger (Minna) state split from Sokoto;

Western state divided into Ogun (Abeokuta), Ondo (Akure), and Oyo states. State boundaries and names were also reorganized.

Akwa Ibom state split from Cross River;  

Katsina state split from Kaduna

Abia state split from Imo;

Bendel state divided into Delta and Edo;

Enugu state split from Anambra;

Gongola state divided into Adamawa and Taraba;

Jigawa state split from Kano;

Kebbi state split from Sokoto;

Kogi state formed from parts of Benue and Kwara;

Osun state split from Oyo;

Yobe state split from Borno;

Bayelsa state was split from Rivers;

Ebonyi state was formed from parts of Abia and Enugu;

Gombe state was split from Bauchi;

Ekiti state was split from Ondo;

Nasarawa state was split from plateau;

Zamfara state was split from Sokoto.

Features of Nigerian Federalism

Governmental powers are shared between the Federal and State governments.

Its operation is backed up by a federal constitution, which is usually written and rigid in nature.

It is popularly known as a three (3) tier government.

There is the supremacy of the constitution.

It ensures equal representation of all groups.

Federal government practices bicameral legislature.

It observes the principle of separation of powers.

It grants autonomy to the constituent units.

It encourages grass root participation.

 Problems of Nigerian Federalism

1) Revenue Allocation:

This has been a problem in Nigeria. Government at different periods had set up commissions to advise on the acceptable revenue sharing formula, especially as it affects the three (3) tiers of government.

2) The Problem of Minorities:

In Nigeria, there are majority groups and minority groups. The fear of domination has always been there on the part of minorities and also, the fear of not being fairly treated within the federation.

3) State Creation:

Constant demand for more states.

4) Issue of Secession:

Threats of various groups to secede e.g. NPC’s eight point programme demand of 1953, threat of Action Group to secede over revenue allocation and Biafra’s secession attempt of 1967.

5) Boundary Disputes:

The various localities are often involved in one form of boundary dispute or the other.

6) The Federal Character:

Appointments into federal establishments in the country are not always based on merit because the issue of federal character has to be addressed. This may not go down well with some ethnic or interest groups in the country.

7) Power Sharing:

Power sharing among the component units poses a problem to Nigerian federalism because it is not always properly defined.

8) Corruption, Favouritism, and Nepotism:

These are problems of Nigerian federalism.

9) Acceptable Census Figures:

For some time, in the affairs of the country, there has been the problem of conducting reliable and acceptable census