Nigerian federation
Topic: Federalism and Centre-State Relations · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 7 "Federalism"
Meaning
Nigeria is a federation in Africa. Its regions are divided along ethnic lines (Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa-Fulani), along religious lines and over oil money. Rivalry among these groups led to conflict and long years of military rule. NCERT uses Nigeria to teach one lesson. A federal constitution cannot keep a country united on its own. The groups must also trust one another.
Example
Control of the police in Nigeria kept changing. In 1960 the police were under joint control. By 1979 there was no state police at all. Democracy came back in 1999, but religion and oil revenue still divide the country.
Don't confuse with
- West Indies Federation: it broke up completely (1958-62). Nigeria has stayed one country, but it has been weakened by conflict and military rule.
Related concepts
- Federalism
- Features of federalism
- Unitary system
- Coming-together federation
- Holding-together federation
- West Indies Federation