ABSTRACT

Since attaining independence, Nigeria has experienced recurrent tensions due to the severe horizontal inequalities that exist between different regions and ethnic groups. After the end of the Biafran civil war, consecutive regimes embarked on a reform process intended to address the sensitive issues of inequality and ethnic domination. Key reforms included the adoption of the federal character principle to ensure the equitable representation of different groups in all tiers of government, and the formation of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) to monitor and enforce its implementation. While the FCC has raised hopes on redressing historical imbalances in Nigeria’s civil service, this paper finds that little progress has been made over time. The workings of the FCC remain plagued by legal and administrative constraints, chronic underfunding, and political dependence. These issues will need to be addressed if the FCC wants to gain the legitimacy and power needed to fulfil its mandate.

摘要

自独立以来，由于不同地区和民族之间存在严重的横向不平等，尼日利亚经历了反复出现的紧张局势。Biafran内战结束后，连续的政权开始了旨在解决不平等和民族统治等敏感问题的改革进程。关键的改革包括采用联邦品格原则以确保各级政府中不同群体的平等代表权，并成立了联邦品格委员会（FCC）来监督和执行该原则。尽管FCC提出了解决尼日利亚公务员队伍历史失衡的希望，但本文发现，随着时间的推移，进展甚微。FCC的运作仍然受到法律和行政限制，长期资金不足，和政治依赖性。如果FCC想要获得履行其职责所需的合法性和权力，则需要解决这些问题。