Prior to independence, it is believed that the British adopted federalism because it favored their interest. 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. What are strengths and weaknesses of federalism? Local governments receive the right to begin solving some of their own problems. This process can create positive or negative results. History of federal system of government in nigeria. This is to ensure that everyone feels a sense of belonging. If you are the copyright owner of this paper and no longer wish to have your work published on IvyPanda. Required fields are marked *. The military were able to create more states because military decrees do not pass the same rigorous method bills pass in a democratic government. The centralization of Nigeria's fiscal federalism began with the report of the Dina Commission (1968) which argued that an appropriate revenue allocation system should result in a more equitable distribution of revenue among the states to achieve a balanced development of the federation. 2019. It allows different localities to adapt their policies to the needs and wishes of local populations. house of representatives and the Senate). Federalism provides a structure that diffuses governmental power. Nigeria did not choose federal system of government because it is the best or most practiced system of government in the world. Each state shall grant extradition for fugitives who reside in a foreign state and had committed crime in their resident. The structure of federalism encourages local communities to self-govern in the most efficient manner possible. All variables measure of fiscal federalism had a positive relationship with per capita income excluding revenue allocated to the LGA's, that of mortality rate had a negative relationship with the variables . 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. When we have a chance to embrace diversity as a culture, then it is an opportunity to draw upon each of our strengths to create something amazing. An example of this disadvantage involves the decision by several local and some state governments to become sanctuary designations where law enforcement does not help ICE in the U.S. with immigration detainment. The federal system makes government more manageable. The powers that exist between the federal and state government also depends on the constitution. Federalism is allocation or division of power between the state and the nation. State governments have the freedom to adopt policies which may not be followed nationally or by any other 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) . In theory, Nigeria is a three-tier federation, with local, state, and federal levels designated by federal law. 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. Possess power would probably give them the voice to air out their grievances. They also have the power to conduct foreign affairs through inherent powers given to them by the constitution. New York: Pearson/PH, 2009. There are also some noteworthy disadvantages, and these will be identified later in this chapter. Federalism provides a structure that diffuses governmental power . The Emergence of Nigeria as a political entity under colonial rule was not an easy affair. 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 . $4%&'()*56789:CDEFGHIJSTUVWXYZcdefghijstuvwxyz ? They will have to face legal charges for their actions in whichever state they are in. But in Nigeria, The federal government controls about 80 percent of the resources in the country, leaving the state and local government at its mercy. On the contrary it has also been suggested that is created more diversity and conflict for the nation to grapple with. The fear of ethnic groups overlapping regional boundaries and the loyalties of castes cutting of some extent across provincial political boundaries also encourage some groups to support wider federal unions. 7. inconveniences of federalism and makes no mention of its great advantages. Another important factor that necessitated federalism in Nigeria was the political culture of the country. In summary, we use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. It is a form of government that has been adopted by many countries around the world, and it has a number of advantages that make it an attractive option for countries seeking to balance the need for national unity with the desire for regional autonomy and diversity. Federalism was implemented in Nigeria as way back as 1946 during the British colonial era. Why indirect rule succeeded in Northern Nigeria, SEE REASONS HERE. It needs proper review so that the country can move forward as a nation. You can learn more about how we use cookies by visiting our privacy policy page. There are times when blocking the implementation of federal law is beneficial. There are natural disasters, national welfare aid distributed to the states for authorization, public education resources, and many more benefits or circumstances where someone must navigate each level of government to find the results they want. Central Versus Provincial American Federalism: A View from the States. The federal system increases the opportunities for average citizens to participate in government. 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. Too many elected representatives with overlapping roles may also lead to corruption. States shall make agreement on how to deal with common problems that they face. In other not to control only some parts of the big country, Nigeria, the colonial masters thought it wise to divide the country into different component units that will be represented in the government. The local governments could distribute resources first instead of relying on the national government like the island because of the availability of local resources. Also see: Reasons why lawyers wear wigs to court, Origin and nature of federalism in Nigeria. On the subject of policy innovation, Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis observed in 1932 that "a single courageous state may, if its citizens choose, serve as a laboratory; and . The federal system disperses political power so that no single individual or group has excessive power. Here lies the overiding importance of the two dates 25th February 2023 and 11th march 2023. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Federalism is a mixed form of government where there is a general government always known as the central or federal government and regional governments which could be provincial or states governments. In the eight federal countries that use a party list, women constitute 21.4 to 48.2% of the central parliament, while the global average is 24.5% (Foster, 2020). Even the masses in the rural areas of the country are allowed to participate in politics by electing their representatives into office. This has been the The origin of federalism in Nigeria can be traced to the colonial era. No Payment is Required! Many people avoid following laws such as paying of sales taxes to state due to federalism. Different communities have unique requirements that they must meet to maximize their quality of life. People feel close to their communities. The top 1% of income earners own a majority of the wealth increases experienced since 2009. The federal system of government is very expensive as more people are elected to office, both at the state and the center, than necessary. Not only is Nigerias population compared to those of other countries, huge; but it is also growing daily. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. This was due to several reasons such as: Dye, Thomas. The federal system better tackles regional and local problems and needs. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Different states also have different laws making it hard to enforce law on visitors who had moved in the state. 2.3 It Creates Protection Against Tyranny. Another factor that prompted the adoption of federalism in Nigeria is the fear of insecurity and the desire for union. 3 Advantages Of Federalism In The Philippines. Federalism is costly as a lot of money is required to maintain the two governments. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". The national government also possess concurrent powers which enable them to exercises along with the state government. The leaders also were from different major tribes and also wanted a level of power. % 3. It is illegal in Arizona for a donkey to sleep in a bathtub. Matters, enumerated in the exclusive list are selected for the federal authority, while matters that fall within the concurrent list are selected for the federal government, and the regions. 1. Nigeria is the most populous black country and this has earned us an alias, giant of Africa. \(\overset{\underset{\mathrm{def}}{}}{=} \). Military administration does not apply the principle of federation. "Federalism System, Its Advantages and Disadvantages." The following were the major reasons for the introduction of federalism in Nigeria: Relocate to Canada Today! In my view, federalism is a good system for Nigeria. But besides these three major tribes, there are over 350 other smaller tribes with diverse languages and dialects. What characteristics allow plants to survive in the desert? What is causing the plague in Thebes and how can it be fixed? These include: 1. Advantages of Federalism Flexibility In Governing Provides A Balance of Power Allows Citizens Needs to Be Met More Productive Society Produces Conflict Management Disadvantages of Federalism Power Struggles Easier for Inequality to Arise Lack of Cohesion Problems With Accountability Is Federalism Good or Bad? Rt. This is a lesson from the tutorial, Structure and Systems of Government and you are encouraged to log The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Elazar, Daniel. Natural resources, industries, employment opportunities differ from region to region. 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