Home > Humanities > Vol 1 No 1 December 2012 Abstract 5
A Theoretical Prognosis and Analysis of Federal Balance in Nigeria 1954 - 2013
Bassey, Antigha Okon
Review of Arts and Humanities, 1(1), pp. 51-65.

Abstract
This paper presents a critical analysis of federal balance, from the introduction of federal principle in Nigeria through the 1954 constitution to present day. The paper shows that federal balance is distorted in Nigeria federalism due to the interplay of socio-centric forces inherent in Nigeria body polity such as; eco-centric, ethno-centric and theo-centric forces. The paper depended on secondary data sourced from text and other archival materials. The analysis in the paper reveals that there exist socio-structural imbalance in Nigerian federalaism marked by preponderance of federal level of government over sub-national units and some ethnic groups and regions over others. This imbalance and disequilibrium threatens the very essence of Nigerian state and propels Nigeria towards possible disintegration. The paper recommended the invocation of Natucentric force as put forward in Bassonian theory through the introduction of domiciliary policy as the only way to attaining unity, integration and development in Nigeria which will result in federal balance. The invocations of Natu-centric force through introduction and implementation of domiciliary policy as practiced in United States of America is expected to ameliorate and eradicate other forces acting against attainment of true federalism occasioned by federal balance, which is one of the fundamental determinants of the future of Nigeria as a sovereign state.

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Bassey, Antigha Okon. (2013). A Theoretical Prognosis and Analysis of Federal Balance in Nigeria 1954 - 2013. Review of Arts and Humanities, 1(1), pp. 51-65.

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Bassey, Antigha Okon, PhD
Lecturer
Department of Sociology
University of Calabar, Calabar
P.M.B. 1115 Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria