FEDERALISM AND NATIONAL INTERGRATION IN NIGERIA: ISSUES AND CHALLENGES
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FEDERALISM AND NATIONAL INTERGRATION IN NIGERIA: ISSUES AND CHALLENGES
Abstract
In Nigeria, the topic of federalism and the attendant crises of national integration create severe concerns. The situation is generating increasing interest and concern. The crises are so severe that a significant force is mounted on the federation, with the potential to destroy the country.
This phenomena is addressed in the book by analysing and analysing the issue. The documentary research approach is used to collect and analyse data. So textbooks, journals, and periodical publications from linked government organisations served as a required source of data for us, while system theory served as the analytical framework.
The technique of revenue allocation is identified as the key reason accountable for the crises of national integration in Nigerian federalism. It concludes that, in the face of this dilemma, harmonic unity or integration cannot occur, and the political system cannot properly adjust to both internal and external environments, making system survival impossible.
The paper argues, among other things, that because federalism is the ultimate answer to national integration difficulties, federal character and other related measures should be actively enforced. Again, the current unacceptable way of allocating funds should be altered to reflect justice, equity, and fairness.
Introduction to Chapter One
Nigeria’s national integration difficulties are so severe that the Nigerian federation is on the verge of crumbling. The country’s varied nature, along with the incorrect way of formation, gave rise to antagonistic and integrative processes.
Nigeria as a country came into being in 1914 as a result of the British fusion of the northern and southern protectorates. National integration is the ultimate goal that must be attained in a multi-ethnic country like Nigeria for any decent development to occur.
National integration, according to Chime [1971.50], is a process of cohesion between two or more social units in which these units come together to form a political whole that includes, among other things, the joining of various parts of society into a functioning whole, the growth of obedience and loyalty to its pars, and the emergence of shared national values.
As a result, Nigeria would have received national unity in which 16 obedience and allegiance to the Nigerian state surpass loyalties to its constituent sections. Citizens’ social equality is thus implied by conception.
Federation is a type of government that outlines the connection between component components that are thought to have the capacity for unifying distinct cultural cultures; it is also a system of government that was implemented to improve national integration in Nigeria.
Religions instead participate in ethnicity, political struggle between socioeconomic classes, religious conflict, and so on, culminating in national integration difficulties that reached a height during the era of attempted succession and civil war.
1.1 Statement Of the Problem
Nigeria is fundamentally a plural society, with its component groups separated by substantial disparities in language, ethnicity, and culture, resulting in differences in attitude, viewpoint, and character.
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Faced with these challenges, Nigeria turned to federalism as a means of accomplishing its long-sought aim of national integration. In essence, the approved federalism is supposed to minimise the enormously aggressive inter-ethnic struggle and conflict,
relieve the often reported fear of dominance, bring government closer to the people, and provide greater chances to the various communities, thereby integrating the country.
Decentralisation of power among component parts is required for federation. It also required that no component unit be sufficiently large as to exclude others.
The situation of Nigeria demonstrates that power is concentrated in the hands of the central government. On the other hand, structural imbalances exist between Nigeria’s northern, eastern, and western regions.
As a result of this position, political influence is disproportionately in favour of the north over other religions. The subject of revenue allocation in Nigeria is fraught with complications.
As if all of these issues aren’t enough for Nigeria federalism, the issue of onshore-offshore dichotomy, as well as the alarm raised about the marginalisation of all religions in Nigeria, are threatening the country’s unity.
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As our research questions, we can summarise them as follows.
1. Is the technique of income allocation the primary cause of Nigerian federalism’s national integration crises?
2. Could true federalism in Nigeria help to solve the challenge of national integration?
3. Could religion and ethnic loyalty provide a significant barrier to Nigerian national integration?
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