Federalism and development in Nigeria

The federal solution has been widely discussed in relation to political systems where the articulation of major cleavages, differences, and pluralities threatens political integration and stability. The relationship between conflict, development, and federalism, however, has been poorly accounted for in the literature on federalism. Existing theories about the utilitarian value of federalism thus face serious challenges, especially with respect to post-colonial Africa. The relationship between conflict, economic development, and federalism in the African context needs to be carefully examined from the perspective of governance, as well as the impact they have on society-state relations. This article discusses the impact of ethno-linguistic, ethno-regional, and ethno-religious conflicts on economic development in Nigeria - informed by the inequalities, insecurity, and poverty prevalent in the country - and examines the relevance of the federal solution for mitigating such centrifugal pressures as well as other divisive and violent tendencies.