(a) Highlight four features of the Nigerian Federalism. (b) State two problems confronting Nigerian Federalism.

Answer Details

(a) Four features of Nigerian Federalism

1. A written and rigid constitution: The powers of the federal and state governments are clearly spelt out in a supreme, written constitution that cannot be easily amended.
2. Division of powers: Powers are shared among the levels of government through the Exclusive Legislative List (federal), the Concurrent List (federal and state) and residual matters (states).
3. Existence of two or more tiers of government: There are the federal, state and local governments, each with its own defined functions and areas of authority.
4. Supremacy of the constitution: The constitution is the highest law of the land; any law inconsistent with it is null and void, and a Supreme Court interprets disputes between the tiers.

(Other acceptable features: a bicameral legislature at the centre; existence of federal and state institutions; revenue-sharing/fiscal arrangement; an independent judiciary as arbiter.)

(b) Two problems confronting Nigerian Federalism

1. Ethnicity and mutual distrust: Rivalry and suspicion among the many ethnic groups threaten national unity and complicate power-sharing.
2. Revenue allocation disputes: Persistent disagreement over the formula for sharing national revenue among the tiers and among states breeds tension.

(Other acceptable problems: over-concentration of power and resources at the centre; agitation for creation of more states; religious and regional differences; resource-control conflicts.)