JOURNALS

ABSTRACT

Since Nigeria gained independence in 1960, it has struggled to heal the severe divisions among its diverse populations. Nigeria embraced federalism to run her multiethnic state because it is one of the best structures for regulating a pluralistic community. However, instead of harmony, cooperation, and agreement, there appears to be discord, disagreement, and division. Other political strategies were adopted in the pursuit of national integration, including the quota system and federal character. The method used in this paper is critical analysis, which is used to analyze the problems of federalism in Nigeria. The Federal Character Principle, which aims to promote representation and participation to foster unity, loyalty, and give every citizen of Nigeria a sense of belonging irrespective of the diversities of ethnic origin, culture, language, or religion, has not been able to achieve this objective, according to the findings Nigerian federalism is far from ideal. The conclusion of the study is that the nation's potential for greatness has been impeded by the application of the idea. It has exacerbated ethnic unrest and permitted mediocrity. The paper suggests that Nigerian federalism and the entire political system need to be redefined in order to ensure that true federalism and ideal democracy can be achieved through John Rawls' overlapping consensus, which entails an agreement backed by all opposing comprehensive doctrines and would ensure and produce the conditions necessary to produce a just and stable polity, effectively resolving the crises of ethnic relations, social injustice, and the problem of political instability and federalism.