Federalism, National Question and The Prospects of Developmental State In Nigeria

Abstract

The historic merger of the Southern and Northern protectorates by the Colonial masters in 1914 birthed the fetus that evolved into the Nigerian federation. Variously described by pundits as; ƒ??the mistake of 1914ƒ?, ƒ??a system of forced brotherhood and sisterhoodƒ?, and ƒ??a marriage of convenience between disparage ethnic groupsƒ?, the Nigerian federation has endured the vicissitude of her historic evolution. Thus, as she struts into her Sixtieth independence anniversary, such epithets as; ƒ??the giant of Africaƒ?, ƒ??the most populous black nationƒ? and ƒ??theContinental power houseƒ?, have emerged to provide the counterpoint to the unsalutory remarks that have trailed her chequered evolution. Moreover, one-third of this diamond age has also seen Nigeria acquire the potential status of permanent member of the comity of nations of democracy. Twenty years of liberal political environment has inspired refreshing conversations not only on the federal framework and its problematics but more importantly the debates on the nuances of her development aspirations. This paper seeks to join in these debates by interrogating the prospects of developmental state as a framework of socio-economic transformation in Nigeria. It argues that the resurgence of ethnic nationalism that questions the viability of the federal constitutional framework has more to do with the crisis of expectations occasioned by the dwindling state capacity to furnish the existential requirements of the citizens. The paper observes that the combined effect of the third wave democratization, the dwindling appeal of ideological tenacity and the new scramble for contemporary Africa has provided the needed impetus for developing economies of the global south to redefine their approach to national development. To this end, Nigeria offers a good example of states in Africa that should leverage on the opportunities offered by these global phenomena. The paper recommends among others that, the Nigerian State should strengthen the emerging collaboration with the citizensƒ?? Sector along with the organized private sector to prosecute national development agenda, and that a proactive and pragmatic economic diplomacy that prioritizes national interest is urgently required to optimize the gains of bilateral relationship with China as the precursor of the new scramble for contemporary Africa.