THE ROLE OF FEDERAL CHARACTER PRINCIPLE ON NATIONAL INTEGRATION AND NATION BUILDING IN THE FOURTH REPUBLIC

Abstract

This research was carried out on the influence of federal character principle on national integration and nation building, 1999-2007. It is a fact that, Federal character principle as a mechanism for enhancing national integration and nation-building in Nigeria is still a mirage. In reality and in actual practice the principle has become a problem when it supposed to be a solution. It has failed in its objective of redressing the imbalanced in structure and ethnic domination in governance and other public institutions so that national integration could be achieved. Secondary method of data collection was used using documentary content analyses and any other secondary source that may be relevant to the study for drawing conclusions and recommendations. It was discovered that the principle has been manipulated by, and channeled to serve the overall interest of the petty bourgeois ruling elites. It was therefore, recommended that  the federal character principle should be applied with less stringency but with fairness among ethnic groups, states and local government that are heterogeneous, to avoid creating division where none might  have existed.