Explaining divergence in the long-term effects of precolonial centralization on access to public infrastructure services in Nigeria

World Development • Vol/Iss. 121 • Elsevier • Amsterdam • Published In • Pages: 123-140 •
By Archibong, Belinda

Abstract

This study investigates previous findings that indicate precolonial centralization was beneficial for development in Africa. Using new survey data from public primary schools, the author shows that the failure of leaders of centralized regions to comply with federal regimes was punished with underinvestment in public infrastructure services, hindering development and limiting access to these services in recent populations. The author proposes that the extent to which precolonial centralization was beneficial for development in Africa is mediated by compliance of the local governing bodies with federal regimes.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
Ethnographic Atlas (EA)Other researchersPrecolonial centralization in Nigeria
Afrobarometer SurveyCombinationTrust in federal institutions in Nigeria
Nigerian government survey of schools and health facilitiesOther researchersPublic primary schools in Nigeria

Hypotheses (8)

HypothesisSupported
Precolonial centralization will be negatively correlated with access to federally administered public infrastructure services in centralized and non-compliant regions. (132)Supported
The relationship between precolonial centralization and access to public infrastructure services will be mitigated by the military president's region of origin, and punishment will be more severe in areas that are not favored. (134)Supported
Trust in representatives of federal institutions will be lower in non-compliant or punished regions than in compliant ones. (134)Marginally supported
Night light density will be correlated with infrastructure access. (131)Supported
Precolonial centralization will be positively correlated with access to federally administered public services. (135)Mostly supported
Precolonial centralization will be correlated with access to locally administered infrastructure services. (137)Not supported
There will be a positive relationship between punished or non-compliant regions and trust in representatives of local government. (137)Supported
Precolonial centralization will be correlated with access to locally administered infrastructure services in centralized and non-compliant regions. (137)Partially supported
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: anj.droe