Which of the following was done during the Gowon administration to reduce regional structural inbalance in the federation?
Answer Details
During the Gowon administration, the creation of states was done to reduce regional structural imbalance in the federation. Nigeria had three regions at that time - Northern, Western, and Eastern regions. These regions were made up of various ethnic groups with distinct cultural and linguistic identities. However, the regions were unequal in terms of landmass, population, and resources. The Northern region was the largest and most populous, while the Eastern region was the smallest and least populated.
To address this imbalance, the Gowon administration created twelve new states in 1967, bringing the total number of states in Nigeria to nineteen. The creation of states was done to ensure that each region had an equal representation in the federal government and to reduce regional tensions. Each state had its own government and was allowed to develop at its own pace, which helped to foster regional development and reduce disparities between the regions.
Therefore, the creation of states was a significant step taken by the Gowon administration to reduce regional structural imbalance in the federation.