GOVERNMENTAL INSTRUMENTS OF NATIONAL INTEGRATION IN NIGERIA: A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT OFFEDERAL CHARACTER COMMISSION

Abstract

National integration has been an issue of advocacy in Nigeria and on Nigerians since the Pre and Post independence eras by Nationalist leaders, Democratic leaders, Military leaders and various civil society organizations, hence, the research study on Instrument of National Integration in Nigeria: A critical assessment of Federal Character Commission becomes imperative at this stage of national cohesion. The objectives of this study among others are to find out whether the adoption of Federal Character Commission have yield positively, the constraints to it objectives achievement and to know how far the commission's implementation of its constitutional functions. This study adopts documentary approach using the existing work of the commission and studies made by scholars towards achieving national integration. System theory was used as a guide the work. Content analysis and logical inference were used to arrived at a solid findings and subsequently, recommends the followings that the act establishing national character principle and commission should as a matter of urgency be reviewed to improve on its
mandate; that all ministries, departments and agencies should be mandated to inform the federal character commission the vacancies available in their ministries, departments and agencies before employment and the members of the commission should be selected to serve in the commission when it has been proven that such member is a man of integrity in the nation to avoid nepotism and favouritism among others.