THE STATUS OF STATE GOVERNMENTS IN NIGERIA FEDERALISM

Nigerian states have almost completely lost their autonomy. The Babangida years and, in particular, 1991-1992 have witnessed unprecedented reductions in states' powers. The entrenchment of local government autonomy and the loss of some state powers to local authorities, the reduction of states' financial powers and their share of the Federation Account, as well as the decree of a highly centralized two-party system, all have, within the framework of structural economic adjustment and the transition to civil rule (expected to be completed in January 1993), worsened the position of the state governments. However, with the establishment of civilian governance in the states and the return of constitutional government after January 1993, the state governments may reassert their autonomy.