AN EXAMINATION OF THE ADOPTION IS F FEDERAL SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT IN NIGERIA :ISSUES AND PROSPECTS

ABSTRACT This study examines the adoption of the federal system of government in Nigeria by exploring it’s issues and prospects for the country. The study argues that Nigeria’s federalism is bedeviled to be a bad marriage that all dislike but then not leave, however, here are possibilities that could make the federalism function for the country. The overwhelming aim of the study is to explain the issues and prospects surrounding the adoption of federalism in Nigeria. The study formulated three objectives and three research questions. The objectives include: to examine the adoption of the federal system of government in Nigeria and to recommend policy measures to enhance the prospect of Nigerian federalism. The research questions include: why was the federal system of government adopted in Nigeria? And, what policy measures are necessary to enhance the functionality of Nigerian federalism. The study tested four hypotheses. They include H1: There is likely no fear of ethnic domination by one group over the other in Nigerian federalism. Also, H4: There is likely cordial federal / state intergovernmental relationship in Nigerian federalism. the significance of the study includes that it recommends policy measures to enhance the functionality of the Nigerian federalism and its prospect for unity in diversity of the people. The study adopted the theory of federalism and the group theory as its theoretical framework for analysis. The study is based on the quantitative methodology. It utilizes the survey questionnaire to collect its data. The sampled population were derived from the Oyo State’s Ibadan North local government. 100 respondents and their responses were eventually utilized for data analysis. The questionnaire was a self-structured designed one. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics which included the calculation of mean and standard deviation. The study found that Nigerian federalism is constrained by the absence of autonomy of lower tier government. It also found that Nigerian federalism is not a cooperate one but hegemonic of the federal government over the other tiers. The study also found that ethnic disharmony persists, and that autonomy of state government on issues like managing security/insecurity like operating state police will go a long way to enhance Nigerian federalism. It recommends among other things that the federal government should eradicate corruption in public places as well as provide a conducive atmosphere to curtail political instability, religious strife, and also encourage decentralization of power and responsibility as a way to enhance Nigerian federalism to deliver dividends to the citizens.