Federalism and centralization in Nigeria

Ross, Stephen (2010) Federalism and centralization in Nigeria. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

The following thesis addresses two research questions in relation to federalism in Nigeria. First, why, despite the international trend towards decentralization, does Nigeria remain centralized? Second, what affects has this centralization had on the evolution of federalism in the country? The following research proposes that three variables have reinforced centralization in Nigeria; 1) the nations historical-colonial origins 2) the oil economy 3) the constraints of decentralization and economic reform in federal states. All three variables show centralization to be over-determined, in that, all documented variables point to the same conclusion. The affects of this centralization, as predicted by the political economy of federalism literature, includes transfer dependence, budgetary deficits at the central and sub-national level, macroeconomic instability, public service decay, and resistance to public sector reforms. As a whole, this thesis will conclude that the centralization of Nigerian federalism is both a historical disposition and a rational preference for contemporary actors and institutions.

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