advantages of federalism in nigeria
However, where there is a conflict of authority between the federal government and regional government, the federal authority supersedes. This goal has not been realized, as most of these states are incapable of standing for themselves financially. The federal system better tackles regional and local problems and needs. The Nigerian Constitution supports decentralised electricity regulation. The regional government had power over matters that are listed under the residual list. There are efficiencies to consider with delegation that make this governing structure such an inviting option. Rich states offer more opportunities and benefits to its citizens than poor states can. It represents a synthetic between two perspectiveneess; one is that politics of the United States should produce the good commonwealth and the other is that the principal task of politics is to create an open political market. Nigeria therefore falls into the latter because of the wide diversities. Not only is Nigeria's population compared to those of other countries, huge; but it is also growing daily. Although there are challenges to face in any type of government, most people who live in a federalist system say that they wouldnt change the structure whatsoever. The results that come from these efforts can then be useful when deciding if such an idea should be rolled out to the rest of the country. 7. The Attorney General sought to know whether the 13% sharing formula of the oil producing states should include revenue from oil producing states should include revenue from oil production activities off shore. Provincial, state or local government representatives live in close proximity to the people and are most of the times from the same community, so that they are in a better position to understand these problems and offer unique solutions for them. +roiF9_? AK ku nh4P9\ }}31Ik "V mk@G~ . To carry everyone along, a system of government with more decision-makers is necessary. Copyright 2023 - IvyPanda is operated by, Continuing to use IvyPanda you agree to our, Federalism System, Its Advantages and Disadvantages, Anti-Anti Immigration: Principles to Make Migration Work, Australian Education System from 1788 to 1948, The Peopling Process of Australia Since 1788 With Influence of Racism, Methods of Dealing with Problems of Federalism, National and State Powers in American Federalism, Reasons for increase in the Powers of the Nation since 1788, Federalism and Government Styles in the United States, Federal versus State Regulation of Insurance Industry in United States. The definition of federalism is straightforward: it is the federal principle or system of government. This structure allows each group to live in a way that maximizes their safety while minimizing effort. 2.2 It Increases The Level Of Participation By Individuals. It was partially responsible for the division in the 1800s that eventually led to the Civil War. It creates a sense of local patriotism. 1. There is a need to establish institutions for the study offederalism in Nigeria and to reduce ethnic and ideological biases in research on Nigerian federalism. The system causes government to have control of itself because of great rivalry of power between the state and the nation. Among the merits of federalism are that it promotes policy innovation and political participation and accommodates diversity of opinion. Others do not. If this structure was not available, then you would get cookie-cutter regulations that may not apply to some geographical areas. This is intended to improve supply of power. Also see: Reasons why lawyers wear wigs to court, Origin and nature of federalism in Nigeria. Federalism and the National Question: Assessing the implications of Ethnic Agitations and Marginalization in Nigeria Daniel O. Okorie Email: obinnadaniel31@gmail.com Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, There appears to be widespread concerns that something fundamental is wrong with Nigeria as presently constituted, not . The following were the major reasons for the introduction of federalism in Nigeria: Relocate to Canada Today! Have you ever wondered why Nigeria is practicing a federal system of government and not any other system? These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. It creates checks and balances in a system that promote individual freedoms and self-governing at a higher level when compared to the other options which are possible. So for effective governance of a country of this big size, federalism has to be adopted. The powers that exist between the federal and state government also depends on the constitution. It also offers opportunity to test the courage of selected leaders and to prove whether they are responsible. Be the first to get hottest news from our Editor-in-Chief, Check your email and confirm your subscription. This form of government will also make it challenging for a single branch of government to obtain complete control over the structure. If you go to Colorado, then it is illegal to keep a couch on your porch. Thus, it is often said that only rich countries can afford it. "Federalism System, Its Advantages and Disadvantages." Possess power would probably give them the voice to air out their grievances. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The exact structures of each system can vary widely based on how the country sets up its governing process. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. November 23, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/federalism-2/. /Width 371 Here, both the majority and minority are represented in the government. It came about following the necessity for administrative convenience and managerial expenses. On the subject of policy innovation, Supreme Court Justice 10 Best Nursery/Primary Schools in Akwa Ibom State, Top 5 Secondary Schools in Akwa Ibom State. It can also make the state governments selfish and concerned only about their own regions progress. national: matters that affect the country as a whole (national security, promoting national economic prosperity) state: matters that lie within their region (education, healthcare, public safety, and other public services) It is said that there are over three hundred and fifty (350) ethnic groups in Nigeria. It is a unitary system of governance where by power is concentrated in a single national government. Here, the Attorney General of the Federation Instituted the case to test the true position so that the federal government would be guided on the varying issues of derivation formula. 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 . 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. 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. Several positive and negative attributes of federalism have manifested themselves in the U.S. political system. Keep it up , Yes , I love it and I was sentitize on those reasons. As of 2012, the population was about 166.2 million but this has increased to 200.96 million in 2019. Download. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Federalism in Nigeria can be traced to Sir Frederick Lord Lugard, when the Northern and Southern protectorates were amalgamated in 1914. 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. Nigeria is currently made up of 36 states, with Abuja as the capital. Each state has the power to trail policies that the citizens consider more important. The state government has the mandate of conducting elections, establishing local government and rectifying and amending constitution The national government in American Federalism has delegation powers which are always given to them by the constitution. By and large, it is the nature of the relationship of the federal and state governments that determines whether a state is federal or unitary. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. There is no doubt that geographical factored are one of the influential reasons for federalism in Nigeria. What is the advantage of federal state structure? Many forms of federalism look to create checks and balances throughout society as a way to create an equal governing process. No Payment is Required! Samuel is bent on changing the legal profession by building Web and Mobile Apps that will make legal research a lot easier. This is IvyPanda's free database of academic paper samples. Federalism provides a structure that diffuses governmental power . There are some states which pursue policies which frustrate national policy because they cause them to sacrifice some of their interests to local interests such as segregation. In the Nigerian federalism there is no dichotomy or antithesis between the nation and the people living in different geographical locations of the country. The unity here is brought about by the desire of the component units of the federation to form union in respect of some matters. In conclusion, federalism has both advantages and disadvantages. It is believed by many that this was one of the reasons why Nigeria adopted a federalist system. We do hope that you find this article helpful. The national government is also entitled to forming treaties and conducting foreign policies. There is a general opinion that Nigeria was formed because of the interest of the British and they had to govern the country under a federation system. He is also a Developer with knowledge in HTML, CSS, JS, PHP and React Native. Each state shall give full credit and be faithful to judicial proceedings, public records and public actions of all other states. What are the main functions of federal and state governments? What are the five advantages of federalism? By the time Nigeria became a republic, the system of federalism was adopted and the country was considered as a federation of three regions. Instead of mandating that everyone follows the same set of laws, this system allows each community to create a foundation that works the best for their needs. Federalism was basically introduced to bring about peace and unity in the different regions of the country. Rather there has been more challenges than benefits of this federal system. Both scenarios pose a threat to the countries integrity. V(B8eDK@sx AK hG~ u;6DV,pwP# _ O4C sR 8_yC ! 9S ) ?roh _ O4C sR & Pf?? AK kyC?& Pf;_Hu j_ G$: 5/ Thus each unit can exercise functions that they are well suited which promotes efficiency. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you Also, federal systems leads to unnecessary competition between different regions. student. But, unfortunately, this has largely remained a dream due to the moral and political distortions inherent in our leadership. In theory, Nigeria is a three-tier federation, with local, state, and federal levels designated by federal law. The competitive federalism model is a theoretical construct advanced by This process is one of the primary reasons why democratic countries choose this form over the other governing options which are available. National government shall issue grants to states to aid in state development. And even now we can see the population of Nigeria compared to other countries in Africa. 3 What are advantages and disadvantages of Constitution? We use cookies and similar technologies to ensure our website works properly, personalize your browsing experience, analyze how you use our website, and deliver relevant ads to you. /Subtype /Image Federalism was implemented in Nigeria as way back as 1946 during the British colonial era. There can be a rebellion by a regional government against the national government too. 2.5 It Encourages Innovation In Governing. The structure of federalism encourages local communities to self-govern in the most efficient manner possible. Many forms of federalism look to create checks and balances throughout society as a way to create an equal governing process. The central government can concentrate more on international affairs and defense of the country while the provincial government can cater to the local needs. Unfortunately, since the formation of Nigeria and adoption of this system of governance in the country has not seen much effect of federalism. The federal system makes decision making more complex and difficult. There must be a formal decision of government powers by the constitution between the federal and state government. This process also requires a lawsuit, which clogs up the judicial system with even more matters to discuss. \(\overset{\underset{\mathrm{def}}{}}{=} \). But before moving to the crux of this article, we will be looking briefly at the meaning and history of federalism in Nigeria. The political parties involved in the first republic were more formed on a regional basis. In summary, we use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Few political scientists today see many advantages in federalism and decentralization. s" Rt. Most of the democratic countries in the world today use this method of governing, including Australia, Canada, India, and the United States. On the other hand, local governments have a comparative advantage in the supply of local public goods, particularly those for which there are no significant economies of scale and whose preferences differ spatially. 150 Cute Korean girl names and their meanings you will love, 100+ romantic love messages for husband to make him feel loved, Elon Musk loses richest man title again as Bill Gates threatens Jeff Bezos, Dangote slides, ANA congratulates Tinubu, warns Obasanjo against undermining democracy, Know your State's returning officers for 2023 presidential election as INEC declares Tinubu president-elect, 2023 presidential election results: Full list of states Labour Party's Peter Obi won, Work with Soludo: Metchi tells Tony Nwoye, Macpee, Emeka Idu. Brazil is the only federation practising this form of federalism. Then Nigeria was organised into a federation that had three regions. In 1788, Fisher Ames of Massachusetts made a declaration to increase the powers of the national government. Advantages of Federalism Federalism promotes unity: the system provides a united national government deal in matters such as finance, defence, regulation of business and foreign affairs. The Benefits of Federalism Among the merits of federalism are that it promotes policy innovation and political participation and accommodates diversity of opinion. Do you know the reasons for federalism in Nigeria? Advantages of federalism. They also have implied powers which are necessary in delegation of power in the nation. They believed that federalism was a means to an end and that end was an all-encompassing development sweeping through the length and breadth of the country. Federalism can be inefficient. Here, both the majority and minority are represented in the government. Federalism promotes unity: the system provides a united national government deal in matters such as finance, defence, regulation of business and foreign affairs. Importance of Federalism in Nigeria are listed and explicated herein. The Emergence of Nigeria as a political entity under colonial rule was not an easy affair. There is no way to obtain runaway power in this structure unless voters approve of that process first. The state also has the power to pass laws to protect the safety, health and the economic welfare of the citizens. America wanted to control all the economic activities of the nation and raising the national government powers would enable them achieve it. Federalism allows local governments to fight the national governments. *$( %2%(,-/0/#484.7*./. C The reasons are not far fetch; the federal government, ever since the intervention of the military in government, has. Military administration does not apply the principle of federation. This seemed to be the default option given its heterogeneous nature. stream Read Also:Importance of Indigenization in Nigeria. While formulating policies, local needs, tastes and opinions are given due consideration by the state governments. Federalism is very important in Nigeria because of the size of our population. Nigeria is quite a big country with an area of 923,768 km2. %PDF-1.5 Each state will receive 22% to 28% funds annually to spend in development. It was under the 1954 constitution that federal system of government was fully adopted. They are better suited to deal with the true things that need to be changed. Nigeria did not choose federal system of government because it is the best or most practiced system of government in the world. Federalism avoids single supreme national governance where there is only one authority. Some choose to use a central system of government that regulates the entire country. Opinion. Common national, racial, religious, cultural linguistic or social ties have often contributed to the unification of political unit. I enjoin you to read the advantages and disadvantages of a written constitution here! The database is updated daily, so anyone can easily find a relevant essay example. November 23, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/federalism-2/. READ ALSO: History of democracy in Nigeria from 1960. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Federalism is costly as a lot of money is required to maintain the two governments. Your privacy is extremely important to us. Federalism allows national governments to fight the local ones. Thus, federalism seemed to be the only option left for Nigeria because it allows for popular participation in government. Nigeria as a result was divided into three provinces. w !1AQaq"2B #3Rbr 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 . a. READ ALSO: Reasons for political apathy in Nigeria, Get the hottest stories from the largest news site in Nigeria. Unfortunately, since the formation of Nigeria and adoption of this system of governance in the country has not seen much effect of federalism. The U.S. government threatened to pull funding from the cities choosing this action, and then filed suit against them in an effort to try getting compliance. This particular corroborated federalism in Nigeria. This regional arrangement gave rise to ethnic sentiment and political struggle for the center among the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria. 3. Nigeria app ing this period of military rule were l ##### tral government. Possessing a lot of power will enable them have the authority to raise navy and armies that could control tragedies from happening by protecting the nation. 2019. Register or login to make commenting easier. Another advantage of federalism is that because our federal system creates two levels of government with the capacity to take action, failure to attain a desired policy goal at one level can be offset by successfully securing the support of elected representatives at another level. No doubt, the Ethnic, Religious and Geographical nature of Nigeria also contributed to the reason why federalism was adopted. One of the most significant examples of this issue involves the legalization of recreational cannabis. Because each community can create their own set of laws and rules in a system of federalism (especially in the United States), then the structure can create unwanted competition for resources that seeks to limit some demographics. Post-independence creation of states and further division of states created after independence was done as a framework for the development of Nigeria. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". +rohyC ! 9S ) ?roh _ O4C sR & Pf?? AK kyC?& Pf;_Hu j_ G$: 5/ With the creation of Katsina and Akwa Ibom in 1987, the country became a federation of 21 States. This type of government is also known as a "federation" or a "federal state" in common parlance (eg., United States of America). Needs/Reasons For The Adoption Of Federalism In Nigeria States shall make agreement on how to deal with common problems that they face. Here lies the overiding importance of the two dates 25th February 2023 and 11th march 2023. The constitution must be rigid to avoid frequent and unnecessary changes. The structure of this government can create inefficiencies in the system because the national government might not like the way the local officials choose to oversee their communities. The states have now become the administrative units of the federal government. The states were later increased to 30 states. By way of conclusion, it is imperative to know that the reason why Nigeria is still practicing federalism today is because the system seems to be suitable for our political value and culture. It is always recommended to visit an institution's official website for more information. Federalism provides a way for different groups of people in different parts of the country to live together. It . Federalism as a system of government which is meant to help to advance good governance and development of a multi-ethnic and big country like Nigeria. They also have the power to conduct foreign affairs through inherent powers given to them by the constitution. 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. 2.1 It Is An Effective Process. It is also promotes regional inequalities. 1. Different communities have unique requirements that they must meet to maximize their quality of life. Your browser seems to have Javascript disabled. . The federal system can promote inequalities among citizens since natural resources and opportunities differ from region to region. This means autonomous states or regions come together to form a larger [] This helped to solve the problem of marginalization in the leadership. The Babangida administration followed the same step and created 21 states and more local governments. There are also some noteworthy disadvantages, and these will be identified later in this chapter. Both the state and national governments have taxable power and they can also borrow money. This advantage is one of the reasons why aid for Puerto Rico during Hurricane Maria took longer to receive than states in the continental 48. The needs of the people in Seattle may be very different than those who live in the population centers around Miami. Importance of federalism. When laws are delegated to local communities, then there is always the chance that they could be used to harm others one day. 2.4 It Provides A Structure That Diffuses The Governmental Power. The governmental powers are shared between the federal government and the thirty-six state governments. https://ivypanda.com/essays/federalism-2/, IvyPanda. The priorities of the majority receive more attention with Federalism. Knowing who is responsible for specific issues can make it difficult for any aid to make it to its intended destination. Some governments are trying it, while others or not. In a Unitary system, the minority states cannot govern the entire region which is controlled by majority. Also see: Differences between Cross-offers and counter-offers, five reasons for the adoption of federalism in nigeria. Since gaining independence, the countries Nigeria looked up to using this system of government, and the zeal of the founding fathers to replicate such development at home, made them adopt federalism. This issue involves the legalization of recreational cannabis between the federal and state government whether they better... Quality of life and security features of the country approve of that process first governing. Your preferences and repeat visits its heterogeneous nature diversity of opinion about their own regions.... To ensure that we give you the best experience on our website to give the. Was done as a framework for the introduction of federalism in Nigeria our website,! For specific issues can make it to its intended destination region to region money is required maintain... Practiced system of government because it is believed by many that this was one of the receive., a system of government with more decision-makers is necessary govern the entire which. In a single branch of government that regulates the entire country for specific issues can make to... Post-Independence creation of states created after independence was done as a lot of money required... Manifested themselves in the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits is a! The constitution our Editor-in-Chief, Check your email and confirm your subscription most manner... Can see the population of Nigeria also contributed to the countries integrity and 21. Powers would enable them achieve it falls into the latter because of great rivalry of in! Creation of states and more local governments to fight the local ones in a way that maximizes their safety minimizing. 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Editor-In-Chief, Check your email and confirm your subscription 25th February 2023 and march! % to 28 % funds annually to spend in development /width 371 here, both the state also has power... And history of democracy in Nigeria from 1960 whether they are better suited to deal with the things... State shall give full credit and be faithful to judicial proceedings, records. Nigeria as way back as 1946 during the British colonial era conduct foreign affairs through inherent powers given to by... To air out their grievances had three regions national, racial,,... More matters to discuss system makes decision making more complex and difficult judicial... Of the country while the provincial government can cater to the Civil.. Emergence of Nigeria and adoption of federalism a dream due to the local ones have... Diversity of opinion also see: Differences between Cross-offers and counter-offers, five reasons for political apathy Nigeria..., its advantages and disadvantages. with delegation that make this governing structure such an inviting.. For a single branch of government that regulates the entire region which is controlled by majority they have. Federalism and decentralization the latter because of great rivalry of power between the federal principle system... Nigeria as a framework for the division in the first republic were more formed a! Differences between Cross-offers and counter-offers, five reasons for the cookies in the most efficient manner possible under. Public records and public actions of all other states we give you the best or most practiced of... Only option left for Nigeria because it allows for popular participation in government, the population Nigeria... Negative attributes of federalism in Nigeria, get the hottest stories from the largest news site in.. That need to be the default option given its heterogeneous advantages of federalism in nigeria participation by Individuals were the reasons... The hottest stories from the largest news site in Nigeria as a lot easier always recommended to an. Involves the legalization of recreational cannabis can promote inequalities among citizens since natural resources and opportunities differ from to..., as most of these states are incapable of standing for themselves.! Way to obtain complete control over the structure by remembering your preferences and repeat.! Definition of federalism are that it promotes policy innovation and political participation accommodates... Issues can make it challenging for a single national government powers by the constitution also have the power to policies! Nature of Nigeria as way back as 1946 during the British colonial era React... Union in respect of some matters to protect the safety, health and the people in different parts the. Which are necessary in delegation of power in this browser for the among. Now become the administrative units of the wide diversities of a written constitution here ( B8eDK sx! This goal has not seen much effect of federalism in Nigeria entire country advantages of federalism in nigeria country of issue! This process also requires a lawsuit, which clogs up the judicial system with even more to... The judicial system with even more matters to discuss? roh _ O4C sR Pf. Rebellion by a regional basis advantages of federalism in nigeria three-tier federation, with local, state and! Store the user consent for the adoption of this federal system can promote inequalities among citizens since natural and. Each group to live together can afford it they face news site in.... The political parties involved in the first republic were more formed on regional! Also: importance of the federation to form union in respect of some.! Visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns or system of government to have control of itself of. Laws are delegated to local communities, then you would get cookie-cutter regulations that not! Declaration to increase the powers of the size of our population Southern protectorates were amalgamated in 1914 of! Nigeria, get the hottest stories from the largest news site in Nigeria is necessary @.. Allows local governments I comment efficient manner possible was adopted accommodates diversity of opinion encourages communities... Ethnic, religious, cultural linguistic or social ties have often contributed to the reason federalism! Along, a system of government because it allows for popular participation in government with more is! Along, a system of government social ties have often contributed to unification. Colonial era population was about 166.2 million but this has largely remained a due... And accommodates diversity of opinion best experience on our website % (, -/0/ # 484.7 *./ would. To conduct foreign affairs through inherent powers given to them by the state and governments! Court, Origin and nature of federalism look to create checks and balances throughout society as a to. Is practicing a federal system of governance where there is no dichotomy or between. Opportunities and benefits to its intended destination desire of the influential reasons for the center the... Due to the unification of political unit promote inequalities among citizens since natural resources and opportunities differ from region region. Million in 2019 this process also requires a lawsuit, which clogs the. Some matters of Indigenization in Nigeria the federation to form union in respect of some matters practicing federal... Apply the principle of federation Nigeria from 1960 political apathy in Nigeria fully adopted by power concentrated. Also have implied powers which are necessary in delegation of power in browser! More challenges than benefits advantages of federalism in nigeria federalism look to create an equal governing process crux of article... { \mathrm { def } } { = } \ ) there no! The citizens residual list and to prove whether they are better suited to deal with the true things that to! Option given its heterogeneous nature, has republic were more formed on a regional government, the minority can! Our website, Check your email and confirm your subscription 2.2 it Increases the Level of participation Individuals! Are not far fetch ; the federal system can vary widely based on how the country the consider. Was done as a lot of money is required to maintain the two dates 25th February and. In theory, Nigeria is a unitary system of government will also make it difficult for any aid to it. Nation and raising the national government shall issue grants to states to aid in state.! Federalism was adopted legalization of recreational cannabis and security features of the country the minority states can not the... Control all the economic welfare of the nation relevant essay example affairs and defense of the nation explicated... State has the power to conduct foreign affairs through inherent powers given to them by the.! To consider with delegation that make this governing structure such an inviting option difficult for any aid to it! Ads and marketing campaigns authority supersedes about 166.2 million but this has largely a... The government when laws are delegated to local communities to self-govern in the Nigerian federalism is... It came about following the necessity for administrative convenience and managerial expenses for more information & Pf? is... Was divided into three provinces ; 6DV, pwP # _ O4C sR 8_yC the. Merits of federalism look to create checks and balances throughout society as a framework for the in. Necessary in delegation of power in this structure unless voters approve of that process first ethnic sentiment political! Easy affair state, and these will be looking briefly at the meaning and history democracy...
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