7. Many forms of federalism look to create checks and balances throughout society as a way to create an equal governing process. The Constitution designates certain powers to be the domain of a central government, and others are specifically reserved to the state governments. The states too have no resources for development but depended on federal grants. Possessing a lot of power will enable them have the authority to raise navy and armies that could control tragedies from happening by protecting the nation. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. And this is one of the factors responsible for the adoption of federalism in Nigeria. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The confrontation between a predominantly Muslim North and a predomi-nantly Christian South, a confrontation accentuated by the political advantages derived from the North's preponderant size and population. Federalism can be defined as a system of government in which political powers of the state are shared between the central government and other component units. 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. Hawaii made it against the law to place a coin in your ear. Unless specified, this website is not in any way affiliated with any of the institutions featured. Federalism is very important in Nigeria because of the size of our population. Federalism avoids single supreme national governance where there is only one authority. 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. Another cogent reason for federalism in Nigeria is the fear of marginalization. There are those who purchase goods in neighbouring state to escape sales tax in a particular state. 4. The Hausa Fulani and the Minorities feared the domination of political powers by the Igbos and Yorubas. Cookies are small files that are stored on your browser. Sometimes, there can be overlapping of work and subsequent confusion regarding who is responsible for what. This allows the central or federal government to share governmental powers between the central or federal government and the components regions, state, etc. (2019, November 23). Because the U.S. provides some of the power to the states, it creates efficiencies in the governing system because delegation is possible. However, that is not so in a federal government system. Politics in America, eighth edition/alternate edition. November 23, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/federalism-2/. Thus, federalism seemed to be the only option left for Nigeria because it allows for popular participation in government. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. For example, when typhoon Katrina hit Greater New Orleans, USA, in 2005, there was delay in the rescue work as there was confusion between the state governments and the federal government on who is responsible for which disaster management work. What Are The Advantages Of Federalism? 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. This structure allows each group to live in a way that maximizes their safety while minimizing effort. The definition of federalism is straightforward: it is the federal principle or system of government. In summary, we use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. 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 . The national government also possess concurrent powers which enable them to exercises along with the state government. However, where there is a conflict of authority between the federal government and regional government, the federal authority supersedes. It established that the resources of a particular state is not totally owned by the federal government. In fact, Nigeria can be seen as a prime example of the "resource curse", a phenomenon where natural resource wealth leads to poor economic growth and development and an increased likelihood for civil conflict. (2019, November 23). house of representatives and the Senate). 1. 6. There are other political systems the country could have adopted but because of some reasons which I am going to share with you today, federalism seemed to be the best idea. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Nigeria is the most populous black country and this has earned us an alias, giant of Africa. The Babangida administration followed the same step and created 21 states and more local governments. Because each community can create their own set of laws and rules in a system of federalism (especially in the United States), then the structure can create unwanted competition for resources that seeks to limit some demographics. The federal system makes government more manageable. The federal system initially was set up to serve the 13 original colonies and was able to maintain their own powers given by the powers vested in each colonies individual constitutions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpC_7fPE3-A. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Here, both the majority and minority are represented in the government. 4. given Americans wider ranges of choice among the different political and economic . The full explanation of Nigeria's federalism. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. It creates a sense of local patriotism. Federalism promotes efficiency of government: distribution of power between the state and nation provides division of work and specialization of functions. This has nexus with the particular sharing formula adopted. 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. This content downloaded from 202.43.93 on Sat, 07 Sep 2019 03:19:32 UTC . The Benefits of Federalism Among the merits of federalism are that it promotes policy innovation and political participation and accommodates diversity of opinion. Many federalist governments struggle with the issue of individual equality at some level. The federal system makes government more manageable. 1. Federalism in Nigeria can be traced to Sir Frederick Lord Lugard, when the Northern and Southern protectorates were amalgamated in 1914. Moreover, it is important to note that most of the ethnic groups in Nigeria had strong political inter-group relationship before colonial rule. By the time Nigeria got her independence, the various party involved had been regionally based. In a federal system, power is shared by the national and state governments. Thats not to say that all actions are a disadvantage. Required fields are marked *. Nigeria has seen itself as a federal structure since its transition from colonialism in 1960, although it has undergone periods of parliamentary and presidential federalism . Unfortunately, since the formation of Nigeria and adoption of this system of governance in the country has not seen much effect of federalism. Even when there is a significant majority of one party in the government (as the GOP encountered in 2016), it can still be difficult to create monumental changes that impact everyone. Federalism System, Its Advantages and Disadvantages. Adobe d C Since 1954 successively Nigerian constitution had adopted the federal system of government without much emphasis on the unity or disunity it has accorded to Nigeria. American Federalism: A View from the States. Federalism can encourage the passing of ridiculous laws. Federalism often protects the will of the majority at any cost. The states have now become the administrative units of the federal government. Different communities have unique requirements that they must meet to maximize their quality of life. You can learn more about how we use cookies by visiting our privacy policy page. The federal system makes government more manageable. What is the advantage of federal state structure? The Supreme Court of the United States underscored the point when it said that "the people of the United States are an integral, not a composite mass, and their unity and identity, in this . However, it is also fact that since independence Nigeria has promulgated several constitutions and that if Nigeria wanted an alternative system of government, she could have opted for it. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. People become more involved with their government in a variety of ways when federalism is the structure in place. What were the reasons for the adoption of federalism in Nigeria? We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Federalism therefore involves the linkage of individuals, groups and policies in lasting but limited union in such a way as to provide for the energetic pursuit of common goals while maintaining the respective integrities of all parties. His answer was that federalism a political system permitting a large . Kayode Oladele. 7. Advantages: The federal system disperses political power so that no single individual or group has excessive power. Also see: Differences between 1960 and 1963 constitution of Nigeria, reasons for federal system of government in nigeria. State governments have the freedom to adopt policies which may not be followed nationally or by any other state. 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? Federalism encourages a system of cooperation. This structure made slavery and segregation a continuing issue in the United States until the 1960s. Local governments receive the right to begin solving some of their own problems. Needs/Reasons For The Adoption Of Federalism In Nigeria Need a custom Assessment sample written from scratch by All names, acronyms, logos and trademarks displayed on this website are those of their respective owners. So for effective governance of a country of this big size, federalism has to be adopted. If you answer to the above questions is no, then you lucky to be here. 2. For the United States, there are local, country, and state governing authorities which all have a unique set of laws and regulations for people to follow. Federalism provides room for innovation and experimentation. This regional arrangement gave rise to ethnic sentiment and political struggle for the center among the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria. << Also read: Highest paying law firms in Nigeria. What are the five advantages of federalism? The constitution emphasized areas of authority between the central government and the regions. Because communities can set their own laws (within reason) under a federalist structure, it becomes possible for some population groups to place the wants of the majority over the needs of the entire community. Why indirect rule succeeded in Northern Nigeria, SEE REASONS HERE. This is because most people after they have committed a crime in a particular state, they escape and move to other states. It is a unitary system of governance where by power is concentrated in a single national government. READ ALSO: Reasons for political apathy in Nigeria, Get the hottest stories from the largest news site in Nigeria. What are advantages and disadvantages of Constitution? This process involves filing a lawsuit to block the implementation of what the community feels is a potentially harmful requirement. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. In my view, federalism is a good system for Nigeria. Parliamentary and Unitary system of government were in operation in Nigeria between 1914 and 1946. Federalism as a system of government which is meant to help to advance good governance and development of a multi-ethnic and big country like Nigeria. Thus, the failure of Nigerian federalism can be attributed to its' abundance and dependence on oil resources. National government shall issue grants to states to aid in state development. Thus, from 1914 to 1946, 1963, 1967, 1976, 1987 and 1993 the Nigerian What is causing the plague in Thebes and how can it be fixed? It can also make the state governments selfish and concerned only about their own regions progress. Your privacy is extremely important to us. Many Nigerian ethnic groups began to agitate for their own states. "Federalism System, Its Advantages and Disadvantages." It is possible to test different policies in a country that has local and state government. New York: Pearson/PH, 2009. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Some choose to use a central system of government that regulates the entire country. This is intended to improve supply of power. A federal system allows citizens to compare political systems and 'vote with their feet' by moving to a state they find more congenial. Evidently, Nigerias political culture was federalism friendly and that gave rise to easy adoption of federalism. The state government has the mandate of conducting elections, establishing local government and rectifying and amending constitution The national government in American Federalism has delegation powers which are always given to them by the constitution. 3. Of course, with both pros and cons, fiscal federalism is a matter of study and debate for many economists. Federalism allows national governments to fight the local ones. Many women only make 80% for doing the same job that men do when they look at their salary. The nation also wanted to have the power to address issues such as great depressions that it was facing due to failures in economic, political and social issues. A federal government offers representation to different populations. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Importance of Federalism in Nigeria. On the other hand; a constitution is unitary when there are created by the law made by the central legislature and their existence depends upon the government to control, supervision of the central government. 2.3 It Creates Protection Against Tyranny. From the above explanation, one can rightly say that the constitution of Nigeria and United States of America are federal constitutions while the constitution of France and the Republic of Ireland are Unitary constitutions. IvyPanda, 23 Nov. 2019, ivypanda.com/essays/federalism-2/. Present Nigeria was formed by the amalgamation of two regions which many see as a big influence in why federalism was later adopted by the British and later on by Nigerian leaders as at the time of independence. The federal system disperses political power so that no single individual or group has excessive power. It can also be used as a way to pass ridiculous laws as a way to make a political statement, discourage tourism, or some other specific result. This process can create positive or negative results. It is said that there are over three hundred and fifty (350) ethnic groups in Nigeria. Problems facing the legal profession in Nigeria, History of the legal profession in Nigeria, Problems of Local Government in Nigeria And Solutions, 5 important Characteristic of customary law, Sources of Nigerian Law: everything you need to know. Each state has the power to trail policies that the citizens consider more important. 1. *$( %2%(,-/0/#484.7*./. C "Federalism System, Its Advantages and Disadvantages." November 23, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/federalism-2/. 1. Advantages of Federalism Federalism promotes unity: the system provides a united national government deal in matters such as finance, defence, regulation of business and foreign affairs. Knowing who is responsible for specific issues can make it difficult for any aid to make it to its intended destination. The desire to have war powers was also one of the reasons why national government power was increased since 1788. 2 Top 5 Advantages Of Federalism. Federalism creates a protection against tyranny. Fresh Fact Emerges, "Didn't know I was already pregnant": New mum Seyi Edun calls out lady who mocked her childlessness in 2022. 6. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This was due to several reasons such as: Dye, Thomas. 2023. By way of conclusion, it is imperative to know that the reason why Nigeria is still practicing federalism today is because the system seems to be suitable for our political value and culture. In the Nigerian federalism there is no dichotomy or antithesis between the nation and the people living in different geographical locations of the country. Instead of mandating that everyone follows the same set of laws, this system allows each community to create a foundation that works the best for their needs. The Benefits of Federalism. Because this structure of government looks at cooperation and sharing as its primary structure, there is an opportunity to try a different set of policies to see how they will work. Moreover, On the subject of policy innovation, Supreme Court Justice Endogenous (De)centralization The key intuition of fiscal federalism theory is that the benefits of decentralization are positively correlated with the geographic +rohyC ! 9S ) ?roh _ O4C sR & Pf?? AK kyC?& Pf;_Hu j_ G$: 5/ Federalism is a system of government where there are a decentralization power and autonomy of governance to the regional or federated states that share sovereignty with the Federal Government. Real federalism has never existed in Nigeria (Ajasin, 1992; Odisu, 2015). ! 2. Samuel is bent on changing the legal profession by building Web and Mobile Apps that will make legal research a lot easier. Federalism can create oppositional competition. IvyPanda. /Length 14727 6 0 obj Others do not. Federalism is costly as a lot of money is required to maintain the two governments. Both the state and national governments have taxable power and they can also borrow money. Federalism is allocation or division of power between the state and the nation. 2.D - Advantages to Federalism. so that you can track your progress. When a project is embarked on ownership and we-feeling will make it get full support and less antagonization. Federalism provides a way for different groups of people in different parts of the country to live together. The needs of the people in Seattle may be very different than those who live in the population centers around Miami. In this article, i will comprehensively discuss the reasons for federalism in Nigeria. This structure makes it possible for any law to be challenged, and that can slow down the process of change over time. 10 Best Nursery/Primary Schools in Akwa Ibom State, Top 5 Secondary Schools in Akwa Ibom State. The two levels always have final authority and self governance in specific areas. A recent example in the United States of this advantage is the requirement to drug test working adults who receive welfare benefits. A federal system, in which units exist only for political or pacifist reasons, forebodes a great burden for fiscal federalism. The federal system can promote inequalities among citizens since natural resources and opportunities differ from region to region. Hurry Now click here to Apply >> Immigrate to Canada (i)Cultural diversity, (ii) fear of domination by minorities, (iii). The British in their quest for economic wealth and geo-political edges over other Europeans in Africa made Nigeria the largest British colony in Africa. The Emergence of Nigeria as a political entity under colonial rule was not an easy affair. Seen in its entirety, all stakeholders have to brace up their resolve for national rebirth as we all . They also have implied powers which are necessary in delegation of power in the nation. Federalism also causes disunity due to diversity in language, culture, religion and economy. 2 Which of the following could be considered of the advantages of federalism and decentralization? This form of government will also make it challenging for a single branch of government to obtain complete control over the structure. 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. The right of exit is a recognised political right as important as the right to vote, albeit it is much older. Naturally, federal system of government has some distinctive features namely: 1. Both scenarios pose a threat to the countries integrity. Another factor that prompted the adoption of federalism in Nigeria is the fear of insecurity and the desire for union. This is also one of the reasons for federal system of government in Nigeria. Federalism was implemented in Nigeria as way back as 1946 during the British colonial era. The Nigerian Constitution supports decentralised electricity regulation. If you go to Colorado, then it is illegal to keep a couch on your porch. The local governments can decide to fight the existence of some specific national laws by going through the justice system of the country. /Height 235 Federalism promotes unity: the system provides a united national government deal in matters such as finance, defence, regulation of business and foreign affairs. This is why federalism is such a great advantage. Every province has political, social and economic problems peculiar to the region itself. But, unfortunately, this has largely remained a dream due to the moral and political distortions inherent in our leadership. Federalism is very important to make sure that people from every part of the country have a representative in the decision-making groups (i.e. s" 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 . National decisions can sometimes compete with state decisions. Whatever the case may be, its success lies in the overall benefit and growth of the economy. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you Elected officials are closer to what a citizen is than a state official under this structure, which means people can visit a local office to express their opinions without a fear of judgment. What is the role of a reference librarian? Presently, Nigeria has a strong center and a weak component. All these strengthen political bonds and gave Rice to unity in diversity. Federalism makes it possible for some population groups to place the wants of the majority over the needs of the entire community. The Evolution of Nigerian Federalism Nigeria is, one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world with well over 250 ethno-linguistic groups, some of which are bigger than many independent states of contemporary Africa (Ojo, 2009). The structure of this government can create inefficiencies in the system because the national government might not like the way the local officials choose to oversee their communities. In his judgment, Ogundare JSC agreed that the provisions to Sections 162(2) of the constitution re-stabilized the principle of derivation. 19 more states were created in 1976 in order to score more political advantage by the Murtala-Obasanjo regime against those that favor General Yakubu Gowon. If the desire to remain separate does not exist, the the association will not be federal but unitary with some delegation of powers to local government. +roiF9_? AK ku nh4P9\ }}31Ik "V mk@G~ . This post will give you some insight into why federalism was adopted as the system of governance in Nigeria. For the United States, it is the wage and wealth gaps to consider. There are several pros and cons of federalism to consider when looking at it as a political system. Dispersing of government power between the state and the nation offers greater protection against emergence of tyrannical government. They will then have special authority to control interstate businesses and trade with the foreign countries. Also see: Reasons why lawyers wear wigs to court, Origin and nature of federalism in Nigeria. The federal system disperses political power so that no single individual or group has excessive power. Pillars of democracy: 7 Essential pillars of democracy. Each citizen of any particular state shall be entitled to equal rights, privileges and immunities. Because there are multiple layers of government working cooperatively with one another in a federalist system, it can be challenging at times for specific communities to know where they can receive assistance. The federal system makes decision making more complex and difficult. That will help you to understand more about a rigid and written constitution. Proportional representation (PR) systems are argued to be the political system most advantageous to women's political representation. Jega, A. Bible Commentary Bible Verses Devotionals Faith Prayers Coloring Pages Pros and Cons, 9 Powerful Catholic Prayers Asking for Forgiveness, 50 Biblically Accurate Facts About Angels in the Bible, 50 Most Profitable Youth Group Fundraising Ideas for Your Church, 250 Ice Breaker Questions for Teen Youth Groups, 25 Important Examples of Pride in the Bible, Why Jesus Wept and 11 Lessons from His Tears, 25 Different Ways to Worship God and Praise the Lord. Nigeria therefore falls into the latter because of the wide diversities. To carry everyone along, a system of government with more decision-makers is necessary. There was just the Northern Protectorate and the Southern Protectorate. 6. Nigeria app ing this period of military rule were l ##### tral government. The first military head of state was dethroned for adopting unitary system of government yet successive military administration in practice follow unitary principle instead of federal system. ensure the integrity of our platform while keeping your private information safe. In 1963 Midwestern region was created and Nigeria became a nation of four regions. Political institutions, Kinship ties, Origin of towns and their cultural antecedents are enriched with similar history. Another reason why federalism is adopted by any country is that of its population. Federalism was basically introduced to bring about peace and unity in the different regions of the country. Federalism provides a structure that diffuses governmental power. Since Nigeria is a heterogeneous nation and Federalism is more practicable in such kind of nation, it is an ideal system of government. In the EU, the members of the upper houses in the government are not elected or appointed, but they serve as delegates of their respective 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). It is also promotes regional inequalities. Thus, the gap between rich and poor states widens. Possessing taxation power under the 16. The United States, Canada, India, France and Australia adopted federalism because of the desire for security by the various ethnic units. As I have already explained, Nigeria is an amalgamation of three different regions with beliefs and customs. This is to ensure that everyone feels a sense of belonging. The central government can concentrate more on international affairs and defense of the country while the provincial government can cater to the local needs. It means that the sovereign unit (Centre) and local units . Not only is Nigerias population compared to those of other countries, huge; but it is also growing daily. The various ethnic and religious groups that live together need to be reconciled for stability. When a government is closer to its citizens, then it can provide a responsive solution when there are citizen needs, emergency situations, or changes that are necessary in the structure of laws. It . The exact structures of each system can vary widely based on how the country sets up its governing process. Live, Study and Work in Canada. For the time being the focus rests on advantages. Many of them are similar, but there are also several which are not. Federalism does not get good press in Australia. We may share your site usage data with our social media, advertising, and analytics partners for these reasons. Federalism in India. Each state has the same level of self-governance. We use cookies and similar technologies to ensure our website works properly, personalize your browsing experience, analyze how you use our website, and deliver relevant ads to you. It is difficult to enforce law on criminals because of federalism. a. It gives federal and state governments the authority to make laws that would improve power supply.