The philosophy behind Nigerian federalism is "unity in diversity."
Nigeria is a diverse country with many different ethnic groups, cultures, and languages. Federalism was adopted as a way to manage this diversity by granting some level of autonomy to different regions of the country. The idea is that each region can govern itself to some extent, while still being a part of a united Nigeria. This allows for the expression of different cultures and the promotion of local development, while also maintaining national unity.
The federal system in Nigeria has three levels of government: federal, state, and local. The federal government is responsible for national issues such as defense, foreign affairs, and currency. The state governments have some autonomy to govern their regions and manage local resources, while the local governments are responsible for providing basic services such as water, sanitation, and primary education.
Overall, the philosophy of Nigerian federalism is to create a united and diverse country where different regions have some level of autonomy, while still being a part of a larger nation. This has been an ongoing process with its successes and challenges, as the country continues to strive for greater unity and development.