Intergovernmental Relations and Coordination in Nigeria

Abstract

Intergovernmental relations have attracted scholarly attention in federal systems. A key aspect is how the intergovernmental structures and processes are coordinated in delivering public goods and services. Since the return to democratic rule in 1999, the Nigerian federation has witnessed both conflictual and cooperative relations among the tiers of government. Conflictual relations appear to be more predominant due to the constitutional provisions that create a superior-subordinate relationship between the federal and state governments. The activities of the state government also subjugate the local governments. Using Deil Wright’s authority relations model, this paper conceptualises intergovernmental relationships and examines Nigeria's federal-state, interstate and state-local relations. Similarly, it evaluates the state of intergovernmental coordination in implementing national policies. The paper concludes that conflictual relations characterise intergovernmental relations between the tiers of government in Nigeria due to the federal government's dominance. Likewise, coordination has not been effective in delivering public goods and services.