For the good of the country? Explaining support for the Federal Character Principle in Nigeria

Many countries have implemented policies designed to mitigate group-based or horizontal inequalities, with affirmative action programs being the most prominent examples. However, research examining the extent and motivations behind public support for such redistribution policies outside the United States remains limited. This study addresses this gap by investigating attitudes toward affirmative action in Nigeria – a nation characterised by pronounced political and economic disparities across ethnic groups and regions. Affirmative action in Nigeria is institutionalised through the Federal Character Principle (FCP) and operationally administered by the Federal Character Commission (FCC). Utilising original survey data from over 2000 Nigerian respondents, this paper analyses support for the FCP and FCC, as well as its underlying drivers. Our findings reveal that perceived societal benefits, especially the maintenance of political stability and the alleviation of ethnic inequalities, constitute significantly more influential factors shaping public endorsement of affirmative action than potential individual or group-level material gains.