Governance: Nigeria as a Federation – JSS2 Civic Education Lesson Note (First Term)

A federation is a system of government in which power is shared between a central government and other levels of government. Nigeria has three tiers: federal, state and local government. The federal government acts for the whole country on common matters such as defence, external affairs, currency and national revenue.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• explain what a federation is;
• name the three tiers of government in Nigeria;
• state how functions are divided among the exclusive, concurrent and residual lists;
• give reasons why Nigeria needs a federal system of government.

What is a federation?

A federation, or federal system, has a constitutional division of government into three tiers: Federal, State/regional and Local government. The central government (the federal government in Nigeria) represents the whole country. It acts on behalf of all in common matters such as defence, external affairs, currency and national revenue.

Other countries that practise a federal system of government include Switzerland, the USA, Australia and Canada.

How did Nigeria come to be a federation?

The name Nigeria was given by Miss Flora Shaw (later Lady Lugard) in an essay that first appeared in January 1897. Nigeria came into existence through the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates in 1914.

Nigeria became independent on 1 October 1960 and became the 99th member of the United Nations in October 1960. It became a federal republic on 1 October 1963.

Currently, Nigeria has 36 states, which include Abia, Anambra, Zamfara and Lagos. There are 774 local governments.

How are functions divided among the three tiers of government?

The constitution divides functions among the three tiers as follows:

1. The exclusive list: powers and functions on this list are reserved for the central government alone. The list includes defence, currency, foreign affairs, immigration, customs, mining, the police force and so on.
2. The concurrent list: functions on this list are shared by the central and state governments. If there is a conflict in exercising these functions, the decision of the central government prevails over that of the state government. The list includes labour, roads, insurance, higher education, research and industrial development, among others.
3. The residual list: functions on this list are exercised by the state and local governments. They include markets, motor parks, chieftaincy affairs, minor roads, maternity and health centres, primary education and libraries.

Why does Nigeria need a federation?

1. Geographical size: government becomes more effective because the division of functions lessens the burden on the central government. It also allows easy monitoring of state and local areas, so the grassroots are well cared for.
2. Economic factor: the resources of the regions need to be pooled together for a strong economy.
3. Minorities: protecting the interests and aspirations of the minorities calls for the adoption of a federal system.
4. National integration: the component units of Nigeria need to be united as one entity. The central government oversees the development of all the state and local governments. It makes policies that unite the country, such as the constitution and the NYSC for everybody, and it coordinates the economic and political activities of the other components.
5. Unity in diversity: Nigeria has over 250 ethnic groups. The federal government established unity schools throughout the federation to bring children from different parts of the country together. The federal character principle serves the same purpose.

Evaluation

1. What is a federation?
2. Name the three tiers of government in Nigeria.
3. Which list contains functions reserved for the central government alone? Give three examples.
4. What happens when the central and state governments conflict over a function on the concurrent list?
5. State two reasons why Nigeria needs a federal system.

Assignment

Name two other countries that practise a federal system of government. Then explain any three reasons why Nigeria needs a federation.