Federal Character Principle and National Integration
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study
Nigeria, a federation of many different nations, is the most populous country in Africa with approximately 160 million
inhabitants. The country is divided into 36 states and 748 local government areas. The religious, ethnic and cultural
diversity of the federative units is, without a doubt, an exception. Otite (1990) in Mustapha (2007) identifies 374 ethnic
groups that are largely divided into “majorities” and “minorities.” The majority ethnic groups are Hausa-Fulani from the
north, Yoruba from the southwest and Igbo from the southeast. However, relations between these groups are
characterized by fear and suspicion of domination of one state or ethnic group by another. Meanwhile, this suspicion
and fear among the groups is historical. However, this was manifested when Sir Fredrick Lord Lugard began to
subject ethnic groups to a history of mutual distrust and hatred as a single Nigeria. Surprisingly, these ethnic groups
are not part of the same population and, as a result, some tend to dominate others, which exploits them. In addition,
there are political and economic imbalances between these different states or ethnic groups that make up Nigeria.
These imbalances come from the nature and character of the postcolonial Nigerian state. In almost all sectors, states,
ethnicities or regions, people feel marginalized.
These have brought about a choking socio-economic competition among the various ethnic groups which have
resulted into ethno-regional conflict and tension that characterize Nigeria since 1960. The emergence of various
militia groups in the Niger Delta, OPC in the South-West, MASSOB in the South East and of recent Boko Haram in
the North, are all indications of the existence of rivalries between and among the various groups over the sharing of
national cake. These ethnic, regional, and religious divides in the country have become so problematic with resultant
patterns of inequalities. These inequalities are caused by a complex range of factors, including history, geography,
cultural orientation, religious affiliation, natural resource endowments, current government policies, and past colonial
policies. Akinola and Adesopo (2011) in Aderonke (2013) support this argument when they posit that, the problem of
ethnic minority has been receiving attention of scholars and practitioners of governance and development. This is
because ethnic minority is usually sidelined and ignored by the majority in decision making and resources distribution.
The consequence of such politics of exclusion has been agitation and demand for social inclusion, which at times
results to violent actions. Society is a system of human cooperation, the question of how society can mainstream the
minority groups in decision making on welfare matters, requires adequate policy consideration.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Lack of adequate representation by the ethnic groups constitutes a great threat to national integration. In realization
of some inherent cleavages of inequalities, the federal character principle was introduced. The effectiveness of this
policy measure in fostering national integration as well as promoting national development in Nigeria has been one of
the most controversial and problematic issues in any political, social and economic discourse. The problem is that
despite the adoption of the federal character principles since 1979, achieving national integration has been very
difficult. It was in view of correcting this abnormality that the Federal Character Commission was set up and
inaugurated on July 2002 as an executive agency charged with the responsibility of implementing Federal Character
provisions and to uphold its principles. The essence is to ensure that government decisions on citing industries,
building roads, awarding scholarships, appointment of public office holders, admission, employment and revenue
allocations etc reflect federal character. But the problem is that, there is still a high rate of lopsidedness in the above
mention areas of government decisions. The high rate of social segregation inherent in the political and social reams
of the country, ethnic and religion divides, agitations, and crises brought to the front burner the basis for the adoption
of the federal character principle in Nigeria.
1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study
The general objective of this study is to examine the Federal character and national integration in Nigeria.
With specific objectives as follows;
- To examine and have an overview of the Federal character and national integration in Nigeria.
- To determine the level of national integration in Nigeria.
- To determine if Federal character principle failed in bringing about the desired national integration in Nigeria.
1.4 Research Hypothesis
Hypothesis One
Hi: There is no level of national integration in Nigeria.
Ho: There is a significant level of national integration in Nigeria.
Hypothesis Two
Hi: The Federal character principle failed in bringing about the desired national integration in Nigeria.
Ho: The Federal character principle did not failed in bringing about the desired national integration in Nigeria.
1.5 Significance of the study
The ability of the state to resolve or regulate the recurring crises and to create an enabling environment where the
people’s respect and love for their nation is enhanced would definitely affect the tempo of the national integration
positively. National integration a process, leading to political cohesion and sentiments of loyalty toward a central
political authority and institutions by individuals belonging to different social groups or political units is an issue of
great delight and importance in Nigeria. This study would be useful to government agencies, private individuals and
researchers.
1.6 Scope and delimitation of the study
The scope of this study is focused on the federal character and National Integration in Nigeria a case study of the
Federal Ministry of agriculture.
The researcher encountered some constraints, which limited the scope of the study. These constraints include but are
not limited to the following.
a) AVAILABILITY OF RESEARCH MATERIAL: The research material available to the researcher is insufficient,
thereby limiting the study
b) TIME: The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider coverage as the researcher has to combine
other academic activities and examinations with the study.
Federal Character Principle and National Integration