State Creation and Socio-Economic Development in Nigeria: Re-Flections on Edo State

Abstract

The issue of state creation has been championed over the years as to create the impression that it constitutes the single answer to the myriad of problems that exist in the country.  Many have argued that the creation of more states would curb domination, increase socio-economic activities and cure the nation of numerous ills.  The government (especially the military) seemed to have bought these arguments and have therefore embarked on state creation to the extent that today the former three regions have been transformed into thirty-six states.  This paper is an attempt to critically examine the validity of these claims using Edo State as a case study.  The paper concludes that Edo State has not been able to drastically reduce poverty, create jobs and greatly improve on infrastructural facilities because of inadequate finance engendered partly by the general economic crisis in the country and the increase in the number of states.

Keywords: State creation, social services, economic development, social engagement,