A REVIEW OF NIGERIAN FEDERALISM: STRUCTURAL INCONSISTENCES AND THE DIFFICULTIES IN NATION-BUILDING

Abstract

The original purpose of Nigeria's federal structure was to oversee the great ethnic, regional, and resource 
diversity of the nation. However, federalism has often strengthened political fragmentation and regional 
inequality rather than reducing division. With a focus on how geography, resource distribution, and 
identity politics influence power dynamics, this paper uses a political economy viewpoint to analyze the 
structural difficulties and opportunities of Nigerian federalism. The study tracks the colonial roots of the 
federation and the uneven legacies that still influence intergovernmental relations using a qualitative 
historical approach based on secondary sources. According to the analysis, oil dependence exacerbates 
distributive conflicts and fuels territorial contestation, while the ongoing concentration of political and 
economic power at the center threatens subnational autonomy. In addition to strengthening ethno-regional 
rivalry and solidifying the North-South divide, federalism has resulted in distinct patterns of development 
and electoral behavior throughout space. The research illustrates how diversity can be managed when 
institutions permit significant regional autonomy, promote intergovernmental cooperation, and take into 
account local identities. It does this by drawing comparisons from more stable federations like Canada 
and Switzerland. The study comes to the conclusion that without significant reform, Nigeria's federal 
system will continue to be precarious. It makes the case that in order to change federalism from a source 
of conflict into a framework for inclusive nation-building and spatial justice, constitutional reform, fiscal 
decentralization, and more balanced regional development strategies are necessary.