NIGERIAN FEDERAL CHARACTER: A BLESSING TURNED CURSE
“An unjust law is no law at all"—St. Augustine

The federal character principle is an innovation, born amidst the fight for true federalism and the eradication of marginalization, that beclouded the future and productive capacity of some regions after independence.
The Gowon-led military administration, following the domination of the federal civil service and government parastatals by some major tribes, saw a threatened republic, and aptly combatted the scourge by establishing the federal character principle, as a tool that would ensure fairness, fiercely discontinue the overwhelming predomination of some ethnic groups in government offices, and prevent subsequent hegemony.
Sequel to the adoption of the 1979 Constitution, the federal character principle has since then been enshrined in Nigeria's Constitution, to ensure that appointments to public service institutions fairly reflect the linguistic, ethnic, religious, and geographic diversity of the country. It was in fact adopted to counteract the nationality question that was bedeviling the polity.
The post-Second-Republic period thus witnessed a huge transition to national integration, when not only the majorities, but the minorities were employed, appointed, and provided the chance to serve in public offices. Federal character was a positive reaction to correct public management practices which tended to exploit the diversities of the country.
With the federal character principle, no tribe, ethnic group, or religion was deprived the opportunity to serve Nigeria. Standards were lowered, and preference was given to the less-privileged, even with little or no formal education, people were recruited. All in the spirit of fairness and true federalism. It was a changeover indeed.
Decades after, with the nation developing, the unity of the country is still threatened, unemployment rate soared, the public service continued to be dominated by some ethnic groups to the exclusion of others, corruption became widespread, and professionalism is subdued. "The federal character principle once a blessing turned a curse."
The principle eroded the colonial legacy on meritocracy and professionalism. It introduced a quota system where not the bests are preferred but priority is given to the character composition of the country, over excellence. The principle invaded the integrity and standards of public bureaucracy and other government bodies that normally require safeguards—merit from the ravages of politics. It led to poor appointment and enhancement mediocrity rather than merit. Most radical and damaging application of it has been in the educational system. The Nigerian political system is in shambles because the federal character has been morphed into the bad practice of politicization.
More importantly, federal character consciously laid a ground that discourages competition. With a charter that caters for equal representation and fairness, the post-colonial morale built to challenge and innovation soon disappeared.
Fifty-four years into Nigeria's independence, federal character, introduced to foster national unity for economic development now induces division amongst Nigerians, and has thus become a drag on sustainable development. It allows ethno-regional patrons and their clients to exploit and misappropriate state resources without contributing to any meaningful development. This has caused national disintegration and consequent canonical underdevelopment.
To overcome the shortcomings of the federal character principle application, there is a need to tinker with the current practice of federalism, with an eye on restructuring; restructuring based on merit, professionalism and experience.
If Nigeria must exist as a nation, it must exist without the consideration of its dividing factors. Religion, language and tribe must not matter. If we are Nigerians, we should be Nigerians. Not by pretending to be one, but by believing we are. As such, there is an urgent need to reappraise the practice of federal character, as it has amounted to evil. It has become, like the legendary sword of Damocles, an ideal that has turned on its wielders.

Evil unchecked grows, evil tolerated poisons the whole system.

Hanafi Habeeb