Theory question 109
Nigerian FederalismSection B
Trace the evolution of federalism in Nigeria from 1914 to 1954.
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1914: amalgamation of Northern and Southern Protectorates by Lugard; separate administrations kept (seeds of federalism).
1922 Clifford Constitution: Legislative Council for the South only; North governed separately.
1939: Southern Provinces split into Eastern and Western groups of provinces (three units).
1946 Richards Constitution: three regions with regional Houses of Assembly (and House of Chiefs in the North) — regionalism.
1950 Ibadan General Conference recommended a federal structure.
1951 Macpherson Constitution: quasi-federal; regional legislatures with law-making powers and regional executive councils; central legislature.
1953 crisis (self-government motion, Kano riot) showed the need for true federalism; London conference 1953.
1954 Lyttleton Constitution: full federation with three regions and Lagos as federal territory, division of powers (exclusive, concurrent, residual lists), regional premiers, federal and regional civil services and judiciaries.
A chronological account with dates.