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SubjectFree lesson

Nature and Structure of Nigerian Federalism

ClassNotes Team 5 MIN READUPDATED 14 JUN 2026

Government SSS 3 First Term

WEEK 2

Nature and Structure of Nigerian Federalism

Performance Objectives

Student should be able to:

1. Explain federalism before independence from 1914 to 1959

2. 1960-1966

3. 1967-1975

4. 1976-till date

Content

i. Federalism before independence from 1914 to 1959

ii. 1960 - 1966

iii. 1967 - 1975

iv. 1976 - to date

Federalism before Independence 1914-1959

It all started in 1914 amalgamation by Fredrick Lord Lugard when Lagos and Southern protectorate were merged and Northern protectorate was separated. The colonial system of government in Nigeria introduced the Centralization of power. So, from the time of Clifford till about 1939, powers of administration and government were centralized.  In 1939, the Southern Protectorate was split into Western and Eastern provinces. In 1946, regions were created out of the existing three provinces, Eastern, Western and Northern regions. Legislative powers were spelt out and shared between the House of Representatives and Regional Houses of Assembly, with the emergence of the 1951 constitution. This also gave executive powers to the then newly created council of ministers. The president of the council was the governor while four ministers represented each region.

 In 1954, the Lyttelton constitution introduced a federal system of government in Nigeria, which came after the 1953 London constitutional conference where it was agreed that a federal system should be set up with the regions becoming autonomous and given residual(relating) legislative functions without the Central government's interference.  The constitution further came up with exclusive legislative lists, with functions only for the central government to legislate on through the parliament. The concurrent legislative list had the functions for both the central and regional governments to exercise.  The constitution also made provision for the appointment of premiers and in 1957, the office of a prime minister was created.

The Federalism Between 1960 and 1966

The independence constitution of 1960, still retained the federal system introduced in 1954 by Lyttelton constitution. The power of sharing formula was equally retained but in the exercise of functions by both the central and regional governments under concurrent legislative list, conflict may arise between them. The constitution stated that the laws made by the central government would take procedure over the regions. In 1963, the Mid-west region was created out of the Western region, this made the regions in the country to be four in number.

Federalism  Between 1967 and 1975

This period was the evolution of the military in the political system. The military stunted the growth of political culture in the country. Also, it systematically destroyed all democratic and political institutions and other basic features of federalism. The government of Aguiyi Ironsi introduced a unitary system into the country with the promulgation of decree No 34. When Lt. Colonel Yakubu Gowon assumed power as the new Head of state, he created 12 states out of the existing four regions on May 27, 1967. It was this action that forced Ojukwu to announce the secession (withdrawn) of the Eastern regions on May 20, 1967. This led to the Civil war which started on July 6, 1967. During this time, there is no well-defined power-sharing in a military administration because of its centralization or concentration of power at the centre. Although, Nigeria remained a federal structure on paper, under every military setting.

Federalism from 1976 to Date.

This period, more states were created out of the existing 12 states bringing the total to 19, by Major-General Muritala Mohammed, who came to power in 1975. The Justice Ayo Irikefe panel's recommendation on state creation, brought about the creation of an additional seven states on February 3 1976.

In 1979, the military left the political scene and a democratically elected government was constituted, this is known as the Second Republic. The 1979 constitution which ushered in the Second Republic introduced a presidential system of government with the recognition of an executive president as both Head of state and government. It also maintained the three tiers of government(central, state and local governments) with their powers derived from the constitution.

The National Assembly was given exclusive functions to perform from the exclusive legislative list. Both the central government and state shared powers from the concurrent legislative list and residual powers went to the 19 states. Powers of local government were distinctly enumerated in the constitution. Also, the powers of the three organs of government were separated both in premised (formal/base) on diffusion and deconcentration of powers, functions and the essence of which was to check the abuse of power.

However, the Buhari/Idiagbon military regime did not allow the elected Civilian government in place to complete its second term in office. General Ibrahim Babangida's administration that came in 1985, created Akwa Ibom and Katsina states on the 23rd of September, 1987 and before he stepped aside in 1993, Babangida succeeded in creating nine additional states(including Edo and Delta) in August, 1991. This brought the total number of states in the country to 30 and Abuja, the Federal Capital  Territory(FCT), has its minister. General Sani Abacha came to power in November 1993, he created six more states on 1st October, 1996, bringing the present number of states in the country to 36.