NIGERIAN FEDERALISM: AN OVERVIEW OF ITS IMPERATIVES AND IMPEDIMENTS

Abstract

This article provides an overview of Nigerian federalism in relation to the imperatives and impediments of its practice, which it has beengrappling with since the constitutional enactment of the system inOctober, 1954. This study utilized qualitative research method by wayof analyzing historical archives and documents, including secondarydata sources. Historical documentation method was used as theprincipal analysis tool in this study. The study found that federalismremains the most viable system for Nigeria based on the past andpresent experiences amongst the former Nigerian military regimes,politicians, British colonialists, nationalists and founding fathers of the Nigerian state. However, there has yet to be a nationally acceptedarrangement to be used in operating the country’s federal system. Thisis based on the heterogeneous nature and character of the Nigerianstate. There are, however numerous impediments to the effectiveand efficient practice of federalism, including prolonged militaryrule, manipulation of religious differences and regional diversity,revenue and resource allocation politics and conflict, including poorintergovernmental relations. Thus, the search for a viable federalarrangement and its advancement continues to be explored