Abolish Quota System or Quota System will Abolish Nigeria.

The Federal Character principle which gave rise to quota system in Nigeria was established to solve the problems of inequality and marginalization as expressed by certain parts of Nigeria. Among other reasons for introducing the quota system was because of differences in the socio-economic development of different parts of Nigeria. Secondly there were disparities in the levels of educational developments in different parts of the country. Some sections of the country (North) were alleged to be educationally disadvantaged, while some regions (South) of the country were acclaimed to be educationally advantaged. Therefore the past leadership of Nigeria thought it wise to introduce quota system so as to bridge the gap.

The federal character principle was adopted during the 1977 Constitutional Drafting Committee. It became part of 1979 constitution of Nigeria. From this point in our nation’s history, the questions of merit or competitiveness among Nigerians were set aside in place of quota system. This system has hindered development and it defiles all logic. How can a nation make progress when their best cannot occupy their due positions because we are practising quota? We cannot move forward as a nation by putting round pegs in square holes.

From the time of incorporating the quota system into the Nigerian law books till date, the federal government has used it as a policy instrument in recruiting people to all federal government establishments like the armed forces, police, ministries, federal government owned universities etc. Because it’s in our statute book, the various state governments and all local governments’ use the quota system in their various appointments etc. Merit, experience and hard work do not matter if quota system is in use especially when it comes to appointments. Its contrary to what Max Weber (1864-1920) said, that employees should be hired and promoted based on merit and expertise. We choose mediocre in place of merit. The use of quota system has brought about intense lobbying each time there is vacancy to be filled.

Thisday newspapers of 25^th April 2009 online version reported that President Yar’Adua has become “sick and tired” of high level lobbying from all corners for the replacement of Inspector General of Police who is due for retirement soon. This is the result of quota system, were merit can be set aside in filling a vacant position.

Quota system means injustice as far as am concerned. Apologies to its beneficiaries. The mere existence of this charter in our law books means that the country has been established on the paths of injustice. This concept of quota system will certainly prevent the best from emerging in all circumstances. America was established on freedom, equality, human rights and democracy. They live by it and they also export it to the whole world. Quoting the former President of United States, late John F. Kennedy, “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and success of liberty”. Because America is a free a society, the emergence of Barack Obama as the United States President became possible.

In the United Kingdom, there is the equal opportunities act. Based on this act, United Kingdom employers makes appointment on merit by a fair and open process. Employers treat applicants equally regardless of your ethnic background, origin, religious belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability etc. Since Nigeria started the federal character/quota system the country has retrogressed.

I want to be proven wrong, but I believe that the spirit of federal character/quota system gave rise to the zoning formula adopted by most political parties, example PDP. This same zoning formula contributed immensely to the emergence of the former president Obasanjo. I will leave Nigerians to make their judgement on the administration of Obasanjo. My own assessment on them is that they performed very poor especially with conducting elections, power supply, road maintenance, health system, fighting corruption etc. The same zoning formula which is a brain child of federal character/quota system gave rise to the emergence of PresidentMusa Yar'Adua.

It will be better for Nigeria to have credible leaders who will discharge their duties effectively from one section of the country, than what we are having today. Nigerians will benefit more if leaders who will deliver on dividends of democracy emerge from a particular state or region. Choosing leadership based on zoning is completely wrong. This concept of quota system has done more harm than good. Therefore this is the time to abolish quota system or quota system will abolish Nigeria.

Quota system laid down the quest for the scramble and looting of our nations resources. People, groups, politicians, contractors etc lobby for positions all because quota system has replaced merit. When people, politicians, regions or states do not get positions they start shouting of marginalization. When they succeed, they loot because they feel it’s their turn. Patriotism and national interest do no longer exits in Nigeria due to this policy. Quota system encourages tribalism and division. This twin evil makes peace and love to be difficult in a country like Nigeria

Just recently, it was on the headlines that Nigerian Senate was boiling over the distribution of 60 billion naira voted for constituency projects. Aggrieved Senators accused the Senate appropriation committee leadership of being discriminatory in the sharing of projects among the senatorial districts. This accusation of being discriminatory in sharing projects can also be attributed to quota system or federal character. This is despite the personal interest of our senators.

Quota system is like an evil which was left unchecked. This evil (quota) was tolerated and encouraged by the Nigerian leadership. Quoting Late Jawaharlal Nehru, first Prime Minister of India, “Evil unchecked grows; evil tolerated poisons the whole system”. Quota system has poisoned the entire Nigerian system.

The aim of introducing quota system should have been achieved by now which is well over 30 years. Therefore I strongly advocate for its abolition. I use this medium to call on the President to start the process of abolishing this system. It has done more harm than good. Since we are clamoring for constitutional review, let’s remind ourselves on the need to remove this from the books. Greater part of our problems can be traced to this system. Hoping that the Nigerian authorities have taken note. May God bless Nigeria.

Chinedu Vincent Akuta

An activist and leader of “Support Option A4 Group” Leicester-UK

akutachinedu@yahoo.com

http://briefsfromakuta. blogspot.com/

Robot  # 1 | 19.05.2009 14:43

Abolish Quota System or Quota System will AbolishNigeria. The Federal Character principle which gave rise to quota system inNigeriawas established to solve the problems of inequality and marginalization as expressed by certain parts ofNigeria. Among other reasons for introducing the quota system was because of differences in the socio-economic development of different parts ofNigeria. Secondly there were disparities in the levels of educational developments in different parts of the country. Some sections of the country (North) were alleged to be educationally disadvantaged, while some regions (South) of the country were acclaimed to be educationally advantaged.Therefore the past leadership ofNigeriathought it wise to introduce quota system so as to bridge the gap. The federal character principle was adopted during the 1977 Constitutiona...Read the full article.

Nokia  # 2 | 19.05.2009 15:28

You doesn't seem serious with your write up by asking a northerner yar'adua to spearhead the abolition of what tom and jerry knows (quota system) that put food on the table of his kinsmen. Are you serious at all? Do you know what abolishing such will mean to northerners? Which other system do you expect them to use to occupy the juicy positions they are presently occupying through ilegal means in nigeria? Do you know why northerners have been against Igbo presidency? They already know that an Igbo president won't waste anytime in abolishing such idiotic quota system that was enshrined in nigeria's constiutiuon by those norhterners, hence any other tribbe but Igbo can rule nigeria. My fren, stop dreaming and wake up to reality.

BiafranPrincess  # 3 | 19.05.2009 17:26

For now,the term 'Nigerian meritocracy' is clearly an oxymoron if I ever heard one. However, the quota system WILL abolish itself with time.......it may take hundreds of years but survival will make it imperative. Can u ask an unqualified pilot to fly the plane you are in just because he's your brother when there's a qualified person to do the job??? We will get to that point as a nation. It is just unfortunate that our great grand children may not see it. When energy is a constant in Nigeria and the ordinary man becomes a real creator of wealth, a paradigm will occur. YES, WE CAN!

akuluouno  # 4 | 20.05.2009 03:44

Villagers, Please let us leave quota system alone. If Super Eagles players are all from one zone, I will protest. Let all the zones especially those who know how to chop the national cake partake in the team:D My only worry is that in the implementation of the Niger Delta agenda, south south soldiers and south east soldiers seem to be missing in action. Is that what this author wants. Please let us implement total and complete 100 per cent quota in every thing including corruption. When will an Igbo man be allowed to loot a billion dollars from the commonwealth like other zones:sad::sad: We need to zone other things that time will not permit me to mention here.

kalu31  # 5 | 20.05.2009 06:36

Nokia, i am sure this is what they told Ghandi in India that it was impossible to push the British out, that he was not serious. they must have also told Rosa Parks that her actions in that bus was a waste of time, she must have been advised to go with the flow, accept life at it is, and stand for the white customer. this is a great article at least he has identified the elephant in the room. we will go nowhere when one student has to score 300 to get into a university and another has to just show up. Quota is made even worse by the state creation and allocation of resources by ministers and officials who are there simply because of ........Quota system. this too shall pass

datuouwadaberechi  # 6 | 20.05.2009 07:07

i confess i didnt really read d article properly. i will also concede that the quota system as practiced in nigeria, really hasnt helped the country...infact it has truly entrenched mediocrity. but i will say, that d spirit behind federal xter may not have been a bad one, but was hijacked by a very faulty underlying system. i say this cautiously but firmly and to support my stance, i invite us all to look truly objectively and dispassionately at nigeria, and imagine what it would have been without federal xter....especially bearing in mind the VERY REAL tribalism that exists and thrives in the hearts of many nigerians, esp in the older generation. i may be wrong.... in a way i hope am wrong, but i suspect that things would have been terrible without federal xter, even though they are PRETTY DAMN bad with federal xter!!! the issue is to practice it with intelligence and wisdom. i may be wrong!!!!

Nokia  # 7 | 20.05.2009 19:26

=kalu31;357372>Nokia, i am sure this is what they told Ghandi in India that it was impossible to push the British out, that he was not serious. they must have also told Rosa Parks that her actions in that bus was a waste of time, she must have been advised to go with the flow, accept life at it is, and stand for the white customer. this is a great article at least he has identified the elephant in the room. we will go nowhere when one student has to score 300 to get into a university and another has to just show up. Quota is made even worse by the state creation and allocation of resources by ministers and officials who are there simply because of ........Quota system. this too shall pass Brother me Kalu, i can see that you didn't really understand my stance on the write up. If not for Ghandi and his people, the British wouldn't have left voluntarily. If not for the woman on the bus, plus other black activists, their rights wouldn't have been given to them on a platter by the white people. There needs to be a push, but don't expect the push to come by the oppresors. Same goes here, as yar'dunce is not the right person to ask to spearhead the abolition of quota system in nigeria. Yar'adua and his people benefits from the same quota system, (reason why they are not willing to relinquish power, unless to their supporters, the yorobas) how come you want him or any of his people to have a positive say in the abolition of the quota system? Brother, it ain't gonna happen. Abolishing such system in nigeria can only be achieved by those that are feeling the pinch, ala, the Igbos and others who really care.