Restructuring Nigeria’s Inter-Governmental Relations Practice

An imperative analysis

Seminar Paper , 2022 , 21 Pages

Organisation and administration - Public administration

This paper assesses Nigeria’s inter-governmental relations practice in its present context and the necessity for its restructuring. The paper proposes that the Nigeria’s federal structure is built on faulty foundation which is the 1999 constitution that was bequeathed by the Retd Gen. Abdulsalami led military junta, hence the persistent calls for a national sovereign conference, zoning of key political offices in the country, including the Presidency and currently the restructuring of the federal structure for socio-political stability.

This paper, which is essentially historical and descriptive in nature, utilizes data drawn mainly from secondary sources and analyzed using content analysis. The paper discovers that Nigeria’s federalism has failed to meet the requirements as prescribed by K. C. Wheare, as so much power is concentrated at the federal level while the state and local governments continue to exist as appendages which is contrary to the spirit of true federalism.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Abstract
• Introduction
• Conceptualizing federalism, Inter-Governmental Relations, and Restructuring
• Federalism as a system of government
• Inter-governmental relations and federalism
• A Historical sketch of Nigerian Federalism
• The Necessity for restructuring
• Inclusive Authority Model as the Theoretical Framework
• Conclusion and Recommendation
• Reference

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper aims to evaluate Nigeria's current inter-governmental relations practices and their impact on the country's federal structure. It explores the necessity for restructuring, highlighting the inherent issues within the 1999 constitution. The paper examines historical context, analyzes the current imbalances in federal power, and delves into the consequences of these imbalances, such as ethnic tensions and unequal resource distribution. Additionally, the paper proposes the Inclusive Authority Model as a framework for analyzing the power dynamics within the federal structure.

• The evolution and challenges of Nigerian federalism
• The impact of inter-governmental relations on governance and resource allocation
• The need for restructuring and the potential for achieving a more balanced federal structure
• The analysis of power dynamics within the federal structure using the Inclusive Authority Model
• The call for true federalism and its implications for achieving socio-political stability and national development

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• The introduction sets the stage by highlighting the contentious nature of fiscal federalism in Nigeria. It introduces the subject of inter-governmental relations and the calls for restructuring, pointing to the Rivers State Vs Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) case as an example of the challenges.
• The second chapter defines federalism and inter-governmental relations, exploring their historical development in Nigeria. It examines the evolution of the federal structure, tracing its roots from the British colonial era to the current state of imbalance.
• The third chapter delves into the necessity for restructuring, highlighting the inadequacies of the 1999 constitution and the various problems that Nigeria faces, including ethnic conflicts, insecurity, and unequal resource distribution.
• The fourth chapter introduces the Inclusive Authority Model as a framework for analyzing the power dynamics within the federal structure. It highlights the need for a more equitable distribution of power and resources between the federal government and the states.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This paper centers on inter-governmental relations, federalism, restructuring, and secession. The focus is on analyzing the current power imbalances in Nigeria's federal structure and advocating for restructuring to achieve a more equitable and sustainable system. It examines the impact of inter-governmental relations on governance, resource distribution, and the quest for true federalism. Furthermore, the paper highlights the challenges posed by ethnic tensions, inequalities, and the calls for secession, presenting a critical perspective on the necessity for change to ensure national stability and development.

• Course: INTER-GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
• Author: Polycarp Munya (Author)
• Publication Year: 2022
• Pages: 21
• Catalog Number: V1216154
• ISBN (PDF): 9783346665669
• ISBN (Book): 9783346665676
• Language: English
• Tags: restructuring, nigeria’s, inter-governmental, relations, practice, quest