Explain the factors that necessitated the adoption of the Nigerian Federalism.

Answer Details

Factors that necessitated the adoption of federalism in Nigeria

1. Large size of the country: Nigeria's vast territory made it difficult to administer from a single centre, so power had to be shared among regional units.
2. Ethnic and cultural diversity: The existence of over 250 ethnic groups with different languages, customs and ways of life made a unitary system unworkable; federalism allowed each group a measure of self-rule.
3. Fear of domination by the majority groups: The minority ethnic groups feared being dominated by the three major groups (Hausa/Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo), so regional autonomy was adopted to protect them.
4. Wide differences in the level of development: The regions were at different stages of educational and economic development, and federalism allowed each to develop at its own pace.
5. Colonial administrative structure: The British had already divided the country into Northern and Southern Protectorates and later into regions, laying the foundation for a federal arrangement.
6. Desire for unity in diversity: Federalism made it possible to hold the diverse peoples together in one country while still preserving their distinct identities.
7. Religious differences: The division between the largely Muslim North and the largely Christian South made a decentralised federal system more acceptable to all.