Federal Character Principle in Nigeria: An Overview

Abstract

Nigeria since independence in 1960 has witness various socio-political turbulence  arising from problems of ethnicity, minority problem, discrimination, malady of  resources allocations among others. Therefore, the study attempts to examine how  federal character principle has helped in achieving national integration in Nigeria. It  critically unveils the problems and prospects of the application of federal character  principle for the enhancement of national integration. Using Elite Theory method, the  study adopts the uses of secondary sources of data collection to interrogate the discourse.  The findings of the study show that, in a deeply segmented society such as Nigeria, equity  is one of the strongest ways of establishing confidence among the people. As a pointer to  the unmitigated expression of reality, the study concludes that there is the need for all the  groups, views and interests concerned to be consulted and taking into consideration in  the course of the implementation of the principle. It recommends that federal character  principle should not only concerned itself with inter ethnic distribution of natural  resources, privileges and benefits, but should also ensure that modalities are worked out  by which its beneficiaries can make reciprocal contributions to the over all common  good, progress, stability and national integration of Nigeria.