It discovered a positive relationship between the changes in the fiscal structure and the aggravation of ethnic minorities' struggles. These maladies have led to a renewal of the call for secession by the South-Eastern ethnic group of Nigeria for a Republic of Biafra, on the basis that they are being short-changed in the political cum socio-economic largess accumulating from the Centre. Resource control: 3.7 7. Another major reason why federalism was adopted in Nigeria is the multiple ethnic backgrounds in Nigeria. And this is one of the factors responsible for the adoption of federalism in Nigeria. Over the years the fiscal federalism in Nigeria has crystallised and remained . by the federal or any state government. However, the practice of fiscal federalism in Nigeria is a negation of true federalism. The USA and Canada were formed with the above interest at heart. Power Sharing Formula (8 Best Paying Jobs), General consensus among our leaders when seeking independence from Britain. The disadvantages are that it can set off a race to the bottom among states, cause cross-state economic and social disparities, and obstruct federal efforts . But before moving to the crux of this article, we will be looking briefly at the meaning and history of federalism in Nigeria. In this article, I will elucidate and discuss with references the reasons for the adoption of federalism in Nigeria. Also, the adoption of the Littleton constitution of 1954 laid further credence to . 4 0 obj The paper begins by placing the question in an historical context examines its different phases and characters. The advanced economies where Nigeria had borrowed leaves from, such as USA practice federalism. And this is one of the factors responsible for the adoption of federalism in Nigeria. 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. 74 . Federal System of Government/Federalism | Week 8. Such arrangement would inter alia breed neglect, frustration and aggression; no thanks to the red-tape inherent in unitarism. Wheare who contends that it is a system where powers are shared between central and regional governments so that each is in a sphere cordinate and independent. Then Nigeria was organised into a federation that had three regions. Other specific reasons for the increasing demand for decentralisation are: Central governments increasingly are finding that it is impossible for them to . 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. Be the first to get hottest news from our Editor-in-Chief, Check your email and confirm your subscription. Policy Brief on the agitation for cessation of Biafra republic from the Nigerian state, response to the agitation and the options to address the issues. 2012, Issues and Trends in Nigeria's Development. 2. This type of government is also known as a "federation" or a "federal state" in common parlance (eg., United States of America). 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. Unfortunately, since the formation of Nigeria and adoption of this system of governance in the country has not seen much effect of federalism. Also it is more useful to expansiate on them. One of the major reasons why countries choose federalism is because of size. Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link. Under this type, there exist a balkanization of formerly unitary state near disintegration and its diversities which progress to a state. Now, because the level of the development of the productive forces was still at a rudimentary stage, the pervasiveness of commodity relations was equally at a low level. Federalism in Nigeria refers to the devolution of self-governance by the West African nation of Nigeria to its federated states, who share sovereignty with the Federal Government . Mainly of telling who is who in a given society. This was one of the major reasons for the creation of the newer and smaller states after the independence. The second theory focuses on the existence of external military or diplomatic threat for the origin of federalism. /Width 371 . In my view, federalism is a good system for Nigeria. Given the size of Nigeria, it lays claims to being the Giant of Africa. Many nations in the international community recognizes her as such. The states were later increased to 30 states. Fear of insecurity and the desire for a Union Meaning of federalism? Therefore, striking an acceptable delicate balance between these two divides, has, time and again, become a well known problematic world over. Nigeria and Ghana can not easily form a country chiefly because they are not geographically contiguous. This marginalization is evinced by untold hardships such as poverty, lack of infrastructure for health care and education, and generally impaired wellbeing. Post-independence creation of states and further division of states created after independence was done as a framework for the development of Nigeria. Also see: Differences between 1960 and 1963 constitution of Nigeria, reasons for federal system of government in nigeria. This helped to solve the problem of marginalization in the leadership. To learn more, view ourPrivacy Policy. I have said that Nigeria is reputed to be the largest black country around, even Nigeria has claimed to be the giant of Africa by . A Policy Brief examining the actors, factors and dynamics of the agitations, questioning if the current agitation is another flash in the pan and if current responses are adequate to address the agitations for secession of Biafra from Nigeria. It advocates good governance and a participatory approach to constitutional review as the foundations for strong constitutionalism in Nigeria. Notwithstanding the above reasons for the adoption of Nigerian federalism, we can also mention some specific factors peculiar to Nigeria. /F5 18 0 R Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. Asst. There was just the Northern Protectorate and the Southern Protectorate. But besides these three major tribes, there are over 350 other smaller tribes with diverse languages and dialects. REASONS FOR LOW TRADE Historical reasons - India adopted socialist model of economy and policy of import substitution and protectionism till 1990s and civil wars and domestic instability in other countries Poor Connectivity- Due to difficult terrain on borders, poor development of inland waterways, poor border infrastructure like border huts . /Parent 2 0 R Nigeria's independence was gotten and founded on the basis of a federalist system of Government. Nigeria, a previously unitary state, became a federation in 1954. The fear of marginalization by the minority in a unitary system of government has, to a great extent, influenced the majority state support for federating states. /Resources << "There are reasons why some nation-states opt for federalism. examines the question on why federalism has not succeeded in managing and accommodating diversity in Nigeria. It submits that the problem with constitutionalism in Nigeria is poor leadership and poor implementation of the Constitution. (Tanzi, 1996). So for effective governance of a country of this big size, federalism has to be adopted. The 1951 constitution gave more strength to regionalism with the creation of two chamber legislation in the northern and western Nigeria. Below are the reasons why Nigeria adopted a federal system of government: The major reason for the adoption of federal system of government in Nigeria is borne out of the historical experience that brought all the ethical groups together under one Nigeria. Prof. Jan Robert Go of the Department of Political Science, UP Diliman. Moreover, Just very few words have evoked much more controversy in the discus of politics than the word, federalism. Your email address will not be published. However, where there is a conflict of authority between the federal government and regional government, the federal authority supersedes. The benefits of federalism are that it can encourage political participation, give states an incentive to engage in policy innovation, and accommodate diverse viewpoints across the country. By the time Nigeria got her independence, the various party involved had been regionally based. In Nigerian democracy, there is a federalist system of government. >> In this paper I explain the hows and whys of the minorities continued disadvantaged status in spite of the far-reaching steps that have been taken to ameliorate, if not eliminate, the problem. No doubt, the Ethnic, Religious and Geographical nature of Nigeria also contributed to the reason why federalism was adopted. Over the years, it is quite obvious that Nigeria is one of the few countries that adopted federal system of Government in Africa, a system that envisages autonomy for every sect of its authorities (federal, state and local government respectively). 3 0 obj Each document posted on the site includes a link to the corresponding official PDF file on govinfo.gov. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is publishing this proposed rule to revise HUD's regulations for branch office registration requirements. 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. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Local Government In Nigeria : Definition, Functions, And Importance, Bad Leadership Causes, Effects And Solutions In Nigeria, How To Calculate OAU Aggregate Score for Admission, Best Education Websites and Blogs In Nigeria (2021), Lakzeland Regional High School Board Of Education, Student Loan Planning Educational Webinar With Justin Rice, Is Agricultural Chemicals a Good Career Path? Some of the reasons include preservation of identities. 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. Regrettably, this system is founded on a militarily-conceived constitution lacking a fully enforceable bill of rights and clear governmental functions. Nigeria as a result was divided into three provinces. Journal of public administration and Management Vol.6,No.12, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. 3 Reasons for federal system of government in Nigeria 3.1 1. >> stream Federalism is a system of government where there are a decentralization power and autonomy of governance to the regional or federated states that share sovereignty with the Federal Government. So, what are the reasons for the adoption of federalism in Nigeria? 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. 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. Federalism in Nigeria. The contradictions generated by this rigional arrangement threatened Nigeria unity. This paper exploits the growth benefits that ICT sector has provided and its impact on the Nigerian economy. Send the Following Details on WhatsApp ( 08143831497) After Payment. Another factor that prompted the adoption of federalism in Nigeria is the fear of insecurity and the desire for union. The analysis of the emerging issues and scenarios as well as the response options aims at supporting the efforts of different stakeholders including the Federal government on managing the current pro-Biafra agitation. For citation see: http://www.cejiss.org/issue-detail/biafra-s-resurgence-state-failure-insecurity-and-separatist-agitations-in-nigeria. Adobe d C . Reasons for Federalism 3.1 Reasons for a federal order rather than separate states or secession 3.2 Reasons for preferring federal orders over a unitary state 4. Historical experience 3.2 2. 33 The Marriage Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990, sec 18 specifically stipulates: "If either party to an intended marriage, not being a Consent widower or widow, is under twenty-one years of age, the written consent of the father, or if he be dead or of unsound mind or absent from Nigeria, of the mother, or if both be dead or of unsound mind or absent from Nigeria, of the . The Evolution, Development and Practice of Federalism in Nigeria Charas Madu Tella, Ahmed Wali Doho, Aliyu Bapeto Abstract Federalism is a political philosophy in which members of a group are.