Nigerian federalism: An overview of its imperatives and impediments

This article provides an overview of Nigerian federalism in relation to the imperatives and impediments of its practice, which it has been grappling with since the constitutional enactment of the system in October, 1954. This study utilized qualitative research method by way of analyzing historical...

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Main Authors: Othman, Muhammad Fuad, Osman, Nazariah, Shehu, Isah
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universiti Utara Malaysia Press 2021
Subjects:
Online Access:https://repo.uum.edu.my/id/eprint/29029/1/JIS%2017%202021%20183-209.pdf
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author Othman, Muhammad Fuad
Osman, Nazariah
Shehu, Isah
author_facet Othman, Muhammad Fuad
Osman, Nazariah
Shehu, Isah
author_sort Othman, Muhammad Fuad
collection UUM
description This article provides an overview of Nigerian federalism in relation to the imperatives and impediments of its practice, which it has been grappling with since the constitutional enactment of the system in October, 1954. This study utilized qualitative research method by way of analyzing historical archives and documents, including secondary data sources. Historical documentation method was used as the principal analysis tool in this study. The study found that federalism remains the most viable system for Nigeria based on the past and present 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 accepted arrangement to be used in operating the country’s federal system. This is based on the heterogeneous nature and character of the Nigerian state. There are, however numerous impediments to the effective and efficient practice of federalism, including prolonged military rule, manipulation of religious differences and regional diversity, revenue and resource allocation politics and conflict, including poor intergovernmental relations. Thus, the search for a viable federal arrangement and its advancement continues to be explored.
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spelling uum-290292022-11-30T08:59:57Z https://repo.uum.edu.my/id/eprint/29029/ Nigerian federalism: An overview of its imperatives and impediments Othman, Muhammad Fuad Osman, Nazariah Shehu, Isah JZ International relations This article provides an overview of Nigerian federalism in relation to the imperatives and impediments of its practice, which it has been grappling with since the constitutional enactment of the system in October, 1954. This study utilized qualitative research method by way of analyzing historical archives and documents, including secondary data sources. Historical documentation method was used as the principal analysis tool in this study. The study found that federalism remains the most viable system for Nigeria based on the past and present 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 accepted arrangement to be used in operating the country’s federal system. This is based on the heterogeneous nature and character of the Nigerian state. There are, however numerous impediments to the effective and efficient practice of federalism, including prolonged military rule, manipulation of religious differences and regional diversity, revenue and resource allocation politics and conflict, including poor intergovernmental relations. Thus, the search for a viable federal arrangement and its advancement continues to be explored. Universiti Utara Malaysia Press 2021 Article PeerReviewed application/pdf en https://repo.uum.edu.my/id/eprint/29029/1/JIS%2017%202021%20183-209.pdf Othman, Muhammad Fuad and Osman, Nazariah and Shehu, Isah (2021) Nigerian federalism: An overview of its imperatives and impediments. Journal of International Studies (JIS), 17. pp. 183-209. ISSN 1823-691X
spellingShingle JZ International relations
Othman, Muhammad Fuad
Osman, Nazariah
Shehu, Isah
Nigerian federalism: An overview of its imperatives and impediments
title Nigerian federalism: An overview of its imperatives and impediments
title_full Nigerian federalism: An overview of its imperatives and impediments
title_fullStr Nigerian federalism: An overview of its imperatives and impediments
title_full_unstemmed Nigerian federalism: An overview of its imperatives and impediments
title_short Nigerian federalism: An overview of its imperatives and impediments
title_sort nigerian federalism an overview of its imperatives and impediments
topic JZ International relations
url https://repo.uum.edu.my/id/eprint/29029/1/JIS%2017%202021%20183-209.pdf
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