Nigeria started to operate on a real federal structure with the introduction of the

Analyze the question: It asks which constitution first made Nigeria operate as a true federation, meaning real powers were given to the regions, as opposed to a unitary or quasi-federal arrangement.

Concept: A federal system divides power between a central government and regional governments, each with its own area of authority.

Step by step review of the options:

• A. 1922 Clifford Constitution: It introduced elective representation (the first elections in Lagos and Calabar) but kept Nigeria unitary, with no regional powers.
• B. 1946 Richards Constitution: It created regional Houses of Assembly (advisory only) and introduced the idea of regionalism. Nigeria was still essentially unitary, with the Legislative Council as the central authority, so it is called quasi-federal at best.
• C. 1953 London Conference: It was a conference, not a constitution. It agreed on moving toward federalism, but it was not the document that put it into operation.
• D. 1954 Lyttleton Constitution: It formally established a federation of three regions (Northern, Western, Eastern) plus the Federal Territory of Lagos (and the Southern Cameroons as a quasi-federal territory). It gave regions their own legislative powers, with residual powers vested in the regions. It also created a Federal Supreme Court and a division of powers between the centre and the regions. This is when Nigeria began operating a real federal structure.
• E. 1963 Republican Constitution: It made Nigeria a republic and removed the Queen as head of state. Federalism was already in place, so this did not start it.

Answer: The 1954 Lyttleton Constitution introduced true federalism.

Exam tip: Remember the constitutions in sequence by what each one did:

• Clifford (1922): elective principle
• Richards (1946): regionalism
• Macpherson (1951): more Nigerian participation
• Lyttleton (1954): federalism
• Independence (1960): self-rule
• Republican (1963): republic status

If you see "federal" in a question, think Lyttleton.