On States, Regions and Federalism

**Interview with Simon Kolawole: Examining Nigeria’s Political System and Recent Events**

**Interviewer:** Simon, you recently came across a heated debate on social media about Nigeria’s political structure. What inspired you to dive deeper into this topic?

**Simon Kolawole:** Well, I stumbled upon this debate around when Nigeria transitioned from a federal to a unitary system. It really made me uncomfortable to see such fundamental political concepts being distorted. Normally, I avoid engaging in social media discussions about Nigerian politics because they often don’t end well. However, what struck me was the confusion between “regions” and “federalism.” A significant number of people seemed to accept the idea that the move from “regions” to “states” in 1967 meant we abandoned “true federalism.” It prompted me to revisit the basics of what I had learned in school about government.

**Interviewer:** It sounds like a lot of misconceptions are floating around. Why do you think so many people struggle to differentiate between federalism and a unitary system?

**Simon Kolawole:** I can understand the confusion, especially when influential figures advocate for a return to “true federalism” by suggesting we revert to the regional system defined in the 1963 constitution. This tends to muddle the concepts for those unfamiliar with the historical context. Many Nigerians lack a clear understanding of the differences between federal and unitary structures, as well as between presidential and parliamentary systems. My aim is to clarify some of these political concepts to help those who genuinely want to understand.

**Interviewer:** To clarify, can you explain how Nigeria’s political structure has evolved?

**Simon Kolawole:** Certainly. Federalism is not defined by what you call the federating units. In Nigeria, we refer to the national government as the “federal government” and the subdivisions as “states.” Other countries use different terminologies—like “cantons” in Switzerland and “provinces” in Canada—but that doesn’t determine the legitimacy of their federalism. The critical moment for Nigeria came with the Unification Decree No. 34 of 1966, which effectively transitioned us from a federal system to a unitary one. The decree clearly stated that Nigeria would cease to be a federation and instead operate as a republic governed by a centralized authority.

**Interviewer:** And how did this change the government structure?

**Simon Kolawole:** Before 1966, we had four regions, each with its provinces, but the Unification Decree abolished those regions. Although they remained in name, the authority was centralized. The 1966 decree appointed Military Governors for the newly defined “groups of provinces,” marking the end of the federal system that was somewhat in place under previous constitutions.

**Interviewer:** You mentioned that some believe the creation of states in 1967 represented a shift away from federalism. What’s your take on that?

**Simon Kolawole:** That’s an interesting point. Some argue that changing from “regions” to “states” marked the end of federalism. However, regions can exist in unitary systems as well. Take Ghana, for instance. It operates a unitary structure with its governing units called regions. It’s crucial to understand that the label we use doesn’t define the structure of governance.

**Interviewer:** Can you further explain the differences between unitary systems and federalism for our audience?

**Simon Kolawole:** Sure! In a unitary system, all powers are centralized with the national government, which can delegate authority to subnational levels but retains ultimate control. In contrast, federalism is characterized by the sharing of power between national and subnational governments, with each having defined roles and responsibilities. In a true federation, states are co-equal, with their own executive, legislature, and judiciary, unlike in a unitary system where local governments are subordinate to the central authority.

**Interviewer:** That’s a lot to unpack. Lastly, you mentioned a trend of misinformation circulating. What advice would you give to young Nigerians navigating this landscape?

**Simon Kolawole:** I would urge them not to take everything at face value—especially on social media or in the newspapers. It’s essential to critically evaluate the information presented and seek out the facts. There’s a considerable amount of revisionism happening, and many are manipulating history for their own biases. Holding discussions about our country’s future is important, but it should be grounded in facts rather than opinions.

**Interviewer:** Thank you, Simon, for shedding light on these critical issues regarding Nigeria’s political system and the misinformation that often clouds public discourse.

**Simon Kolawole:** Thank you for having me. It’s vital we engage in informed discussions as we navigate these complex issues.