States and Local Government Areas Creation as a Strategy of National Integration or Disintegration in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examines states and local government areas creation in Nigeria as one of the major strategies of ensuring National integration. The analysis was based on secondary data obtained from text books and other retrieved materials.  The scope of the paper other than the introduction, covers; conceptual analysis of variables; review of local government areas and states creation in Nigeria, rationale for States and Local Governments creation; theoretical foundation; consequences; conclusion and recommendation. After a critical examination of the consequences of creation of states and local government areas which include structural imbalance in Nigeria socio-political structure; perpetuation of minority domination, continuous struggle for national resources in terms of sharing national revenue and creation of consciousness among ethnic nationalities. State and Local government creation rather promotes National disintegration. The conclusion of this paper therefore deviates significantly from the intended function of state creation as expected by the agitators. This paper utilizes functional approach in analyzing state and local government creation in Nigeria and it is recommended that the Federal Government should introduce a domiciliary policy to solve the problem of non-indigenes and minorities.