The Effects of Ethnicity on Quota System or Federal Character as the Basis for Recruitment and Promotion in the Nigeria Military Armed Forces as a Case Study

6 PAGES (2386 WORDS) Political Science Paper

Abstract

This study vividly examine the effects of ethnicity on quota system or federal character for the main purpose of recruiting and promotion in the Nigerian military. Quota system was first adopted in the provision of 1979 constitution (second republic) for the appointment and promotion of officers in the Nigeria military to forth republican constitution of 1999.

Some of the findings in this study is that federal character principle has not fully achieved its main purpose unable to strike a balance between merits and the quota. This also has a negative consequences on the health of the military institution in term of discipline, morale, overall efficiency, productivity and service delivery. The principle has benefited majorly in less disadvantage states in Nigeria with the aim of the principle for even representation of all nationalities, sectional groups and states within the federation.

The study relies on secondary source of data collection with the analysis using qualitative descriptive method. The study concludes that ethnic struggle has reduced drastically base on the adoption of quota system or federal character principle as provided for in the Nigerian constitution in recruitment and promotion of Nigeria military personnel.


Keywords: Quota system/ federal character, ethnicity, Nigeria military, recruitment, promotion