Article Source: http://smoothadmission..com.ng/2017/04/how-federal-character-principle-is.html

While making research for my latest article (you can see it here… http://smoothadmission..com.ng/2017/04/how-to-legitimately-increase-your.html ), I dug up a lot of awful secrets: secrets that could be a component part of a ticking time bomb.



I discovered the danger and absurdity of the Nigerian Federal character.



Definition: Federal Character Principle is a principle in the Nigerian Constitution that tries to give every part of Nigeria a sense of belonging and fairness by giving less developed (or disadvantaged) states special considerations when sharing national resources.



The principle, “giving every part of Nigeria a sense of belonging and fairness” is good.



But the practice, “giving less developed (or less advanced) states special consideration when sharing national resources” is where the danger is hiding.



It defeats the purpose.

Federal character or not, Nigeria is a failed state. Let's do something about our weak constitution.

ARTICLE SOURCE: http://smoothadmission..com.ng/2017/04/how-federal-character-principle-is.html

The only thing it has achieved is to create a feeling of injustice and unfairness in one hand and a feeling of inferiority on the other.


I’m most active in the education industry. So let me use that industry to picture it for you.


During admission, every government owned university and polytechnic consider your state of origin before giving you admission.


They allocate 20% of the whole admission to candidates from certain states – most of them Northern.


They call these states educationally disadvantaged states.

ARTICLE SOURCE: http://smoothadmission..com.ng/2017/04/how-federal-character-principle-is.html

The idea was to close the education gap among states. 25 years later, the gap is still wide.


So imagine 20% x the whole government owned universities and polytechnics in Nigeria.


That’s too much and does no one any good. Not the so called disadvantaged states. Not the “advantaged”.

The worst part is that it has caused more problems than it solves.


It often makes candidates from the “educationally advantaged” states feel unfairly and unjustly treated. This leads to resentment.


During my pre-degree days, I had a friend from Imo state that chose Physics in ABU Zaria.


They were 18 that wrote the post UTME. He scored 223. He was the highest. The second highest was 117. But guess what? Everybody got admission except him. He was the only southerner. He has been resentful ever since.

Affirmative action and quota system bad because instead of basing hiring selection on objective standard of competence. We're worried about ethnic background.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJAvWa9Fd0Y

Let them continue.

ARTICLE SOURCE: http://smoothadmission..com.ng/2017/04/how-federal-character-principle-is.html

On the other hand, people from the “educationally disadvantaged” states often feel haunted by all these.


Imagine that you are occupying a position you didn’t feel you really earned.


May be you got it because of where you came from. May be it’s through connection. How do you feel each time you remember that.


For many of these students, they can develop inferiority complex and depression. They feel they can’t measure up intellectually. Some even feel they don’t deserve it.


How will this feeling affect this person when he leaves school, gets work and start a family?


Nobody gains from all these and what affects one affects all – directly or indirectly.


But…

ARTICLE SOURCE: http://smoothadmission..com.ng/2017/04/how-federal-character-principle-is.html

There is a better way to bridge the gap.


The government can follow these steps…


STEP #1: Level the playing field. Give everybody equal opportunity.


That way, any candidate that gets admission knows that she earned it. Those who didn’t get, accepts it and works harder.


STEP #2: Run an effective enlightenment campaign in the Educationally Disadvantaged states.


The problem of educational disadvantage – or advantage – is not physical. Neither is it political. So constitution is not the solution.


The problem is cultural and psychological. Hence, that’s where the solution lies.


The more people from these states begin to see the value, the more the seek it. It’s that simple.


STEP #3: More “quality” primary and secondary schools should be built in these states.


Quality, in this context, refers to a school that has been kitted with facilities and professionals so that real learning can take place.


Primary and secondary education is the basics.


A child who gets quality basic education is likely to seek tertiary education.


STEP #4: Incentives


Some state governors are trying in this respect. They share food for pupils.


But they need to monitor, measure and ensure that the incentives are working. If they are not, they should modify or change it. Rinse and repeat until they find the one that works.


Why is this issue very important?


You See! Nigeria’s existence is constantly under threat. Who knows the last straw that will break the camel’s back?


So instead of just adding more straw, why don’t we start removing some? This issue may just be one of such straws.

So over to you guys. What other way can this problem be tacked?

Blue3k:
Affirmative action and quota system bad because instead of basing hiring selection on objective standard of competence. We're worried about ethnic background.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJAvWa9Fd0Y

Wow! I watched that video. It's so very true. Giving favoritism treatment to a group or person because they are perceived as disadvantaged doesn't help the person. Instead, it continues to make the person disadvantaged. It's a psychological thing.