Nigerian federalism and the politics of resource control: The south-south case

Egbuna, Ifeanyi Kingsley (2025) Nigerian federalism and the politics of resource control: The south-south case. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 27 (1). pp. 797-817. ISSN 2581-9615

The research is an analysis of Nigeria's federalism with specific mention of the implications of resource control in the South-South geopolitical zone. Drawing from an extensive literature review, the research shows that resource control politics has contributed to the region's socioeconomic under-development, environmental degradation, and lowered well-being of citizens. The research shows that the objectives of resource control as currently pursued are contradictory to overall development dynamics of the Nigerian state. The paper argues that it is an illusion to believe that state-led resource control will necessarily lead to sustainable and fair national development. Rather, such beliefs can be contrary to integrated national development as well as compound structural imbalances within the federal system.