Quota system, federal character principle and admission to federal unity schools: Barriers to learning in Nigeria
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While the quota system came into being prior to Nigeria’s independence in 1960, the federal character principle became officially recognised in the 1979 constitution. These policies were aimed at addressing the issues of ethnic representation in the public sector. The implication of these was that issues of admission, recruitment, promotion and appointment became based on these principles. In other words, advancement in the country’s public institutions, which ought to be the drivers of development, is neither based on merit nor competence. Where these principles have played out visibly is in the admission system into Federal Unity Schools. With the adoption and analysis of secondary data, the paper observes that the inclusion of the quota system and federal character principle in the educational sector creates a scenario of discrimination against Nigerians in their own country by virtue of their ethnic identification, which is contrary to the provisions of the constitution. This paper therefore recommends, among others that Nigeria needs a review of her educational policies and an extensive educational infrastructural development to accommodate its growing student population. It concludes that the quota system and federal character principle have been the major barriers to learning in Nigeria
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JA Political science (General)