FEDERALISM AND RESOURCE CONTROL IN NIGERIA: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS

Federalism and the clamour for resource control have remained two issues of contentious in contemporary Nigeria. This paper examined the complex relationship between federalism and resource control. It explores how the centralization of resource control contradicts the principles of true federalism and contributes to regional tensions in the country, particularly in the oil rich Niger Delta region. The paper offers a theoretical overview of the current structure, evaluates the socio-political and economic impact of resource centralization and proposes policy recommendations for achieving a more equitable and sustainable federal system. To generate data for the study, secondary sources of information and interdisciplinary approach were employed. In the analysis, the qualitative approach was adopted. The findings revealed that the current federal system in Nigeria lacks true fiscal federalism and that restructuring resource control can enhance peace, unity and national development. The study recommended amendments of the 1999 constitution that will take natural resources from the Exclusive to the Concurrent or Residual list. It also recommended that the derivation percentage should be increased beyond 13% to reflect adequate compensation to host communities and the creation of a Sovereign Resource Control Commission to oversee fair and equitable distribution of resources, the commission would ensure that communities benefits directly. The paper also recommended a bold Political Will to implement constitutional amendments and restructure the federal system in a way that balances autonomy with peace, unity and development.