Federalism

Dive deep into the rich history of federalism in Nigeria, from its colonial origins to its current structure. Our comprehensive video explores the evolution of federalism in Nigeria, detailing key constitutional changes and political events that shaped the country's federal structure over the decades.
Federalism Before Independence:
Learn how the colonial system centralized power in Nigeria from the time of Clifford until about 1939. Discover how the Richards Constitution of 1946 and the Macpherson Constitution of 1951 introduced different shades of federalism, culminating in the 1954 Lyttleton Constitution, which established a true federal structure. This constitution, effective from October 1, 1954, shared powers between central and regional governments and redefined the roles of lieutenant-governors and governors.
Federalism Between 1960 and 1966:
Understand the impact of the independence constitution, which came into force on October 1, 1960, and incorporated the federal structure established by the 1954 Lyttleton Constitution. This period saw the retention of power-sharing procedures and the division of Nigeria into unequal regions. The 1963 Republican Constitution further evolved the federal structure by increasing the number of regions from three to four with the creation of the Mid-Western region.
Federalism Between 1967 and 1975:
Explore the significant changes during the military era, which stunted the growth of political culture and federalism in Nigeria. The introduction of a unitary system by Aguiyi Ironsi and the subsequent creation of 12 states by Yakubu Gowon to counter secession attempts led to the Nigerian Civil War in 1967.
Federalism from 1976 to Date:
Discover how General Murtala Mohammed’s regime in 1975 and subsequent administrations expanded the number of states in Nigeria, starting with the creation of seven states in 1976, followed by additional state creations by Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha. Today, Nigeria comprises 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with 774 local governments forming the third tier of government, performing local functions and supporting the federal and state governments.
Join us in this detailed exploration of Nigeria's federalism, highlighting the political decisions and constitutional changes that have shaped the country's governance. Don’t miss out on understanding the complexities and evolution of Nigeria’s federal structure. Like, comment, and subscribe for more insightful content on Nigeria's political history and governance!
Keywords:
Nigerian Federalism
Evolution of Federalism in Nigeria
History of Nigerian Government
Colonial Nigeria