Nigerian Federalism: Health and Poverty in Nigeria
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Abstract
This paper examined the evolution, structure, and practices of federalism in Nigeria to synthesize the extent to which fiscal federalism in conjunction with agitations for resource control has affected the health and poverty profiles of the citizenry in relation to economic growth and sustainable development. In achieving this, the paper adopted both descriptive and analytical methods by relying on secondary sources for data gathering with a wellresearched literature to discuss the interface between these concepts and identify strategies for solution with robust policy recommendations. This research was, therefore, intended to fill the strategic intellectual gap on the subject matter. The findings showed that the dependence of the local government on the states and federal government allocation has led to its inability to positively affect the grass-root health care development while poverty alleviation is threatened. The paper also revealed that Nigeria has not operated as a true federation since it adopted a federal constitution. Fiscal responsibility and taxing powers still remain considerably centralized. It was therefore concluded that the federal government ought to devolve some of its tax powers to state governments in order to stimulate healthy fiscal independence and competition among states. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the current revenue allocation formula and fiscal federalism should be reviewed to embrace autonomy in its entirety in order to achieve national goals and objectives. Government should engage the interest groups on resource control in dialogue for peaceful resolution and
proactively offer optimal solution. Direct schemes and workable measures for improved health care development and poverty alleviation should be put in place.
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