Abstract
This research work focused on ethnic politics and federalism in Nigeria. Nigeria, a diverse and culturally rich nation, has grappled with the intricate dynamics of ethnic politics and federalism since its inception as an independent state in 1960. This paper provides a comprehensive exploration of the multifaceted issues surrounding ethnic politics and federalism in Nigeria, drawing upon a substantial body of literature, historical context, and contemporary analysis. The ethnically diverse population of Nigeria, comprising over 250 distinct ethnic groups, has historically been a source of both strength and tension. The federal system of governance was adopted to manage this diversity, with the country divided into 36 states and a Federal Capital Territory. However, this federal structure has given rise to a unique set of challenges and opportunities that continue to shape Nigeria's political landscape. The findings of the study revealed that ethnic conflicts have significant impact on Nigerian federalism. It also indicates that fiscal lapse has equally posed negative impact on Nigerian federalism. It further revealed that ethnicity hinders political development in Nigeria. The study concludes that ethnic conflict has significant impact on Nigerian federalism and recommends the need to ensure that the distribution of the revenue encourage each state and local government to improve internal revenue generation, not to constantly and wholly depend on the fund coming from the federation account.
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