FEDERAL REPUBLIC

The study investigates the effect of deconstructing federalism and how federal is the federal republic of Nigeria. The population for the study comprised of all academic and non-academic staff of the University of Benin, Benin City, Edo state. From the population, 135 respondents were sampled using random sampling technique. The samples were further stratified on the basis of gender, educational status, years in service, age distribution. Data were collected using a researcher designed questionaire titled deconstructing federalism and how federal is the federal republic of Nigeria (DFHFFRN). Data collected were analyzed using percentages and frequency count. Based on the findings, it was observed that Federation determines the distribution of nature, manner and resources, True federalism remains theoretical and practical exclusive, the three (3) tiers of government in Nigeria do not enjoy fair play. Based on these findings, it was recommended that there should be design and
working out of development plans at the federal, states and local levels of governance to guide the authorities in planning and execution of development programmes. It was also recommended that Corruption, ethnicity, religious bigotry and all other particularistic feelings and tendencies should be properly checked through functional laws and stiff penaltiesto minimize ethno-religious and sectional identities among Nigerians.