Emergence of federalism in Nigeria - SS3 Government Lesson Note

Federalism in Nigeria emerged as a result of the need to balance power between the central government and the regional governments. Before independence in 1960, Nigeria was a British colony that was governed by a unitary system, where power was concentrated in the central government. However, due to the diverse ethnic and linguistic groups in the country, there was a demand for greater regional autonomy.

In response to these demands, the British government introduced the Richards Constitution in 1946, which established a federal system of government. This constitution provided for three regions- Northern, Eastern, and Western- each with its own legislative and executive arms of government.

After independence, Nigeria adopted a federal system of government under the 1960 and 1963 constitutions. This system allowed for greater regional autonomy and the sharing of power between the central government and the regions. However, the military coups of 1966 and 1975 led to the centralization of power and the erosion of federalism in Nigeria.

In 1999, Nigeria returned to democratic rule and adopted a federal system of government under the 1999 constitution. This constitution provides for a federal system of government with 36 states and a federal capital territory, each with its own legislative and executive arms of government. The federal government has exclusive powers over issues such as defense, foreign policy, and monetary policy, while the states have powers over issues such as education, health, and agriculture.

The emergence of federalism in Nigeria was a response to the diverse nature of the country and the need to balance power between the central government and the regions.