Nigeria, South Africa and Namibia, all divided societies, have affirmative action programmes
aimed at bridging the profound inequalities between different segments of their population.
Many others African countries have milder versions, such as parliamentary quotas for
women. This study examines the necessity for affirmative action and the effectiveness of the
Federal Character Commission (FCC), set up in Nigeria to oversee the process. It examines
the historical connections between ethnic inequalities, governance and conflict in Nigeria
and the various efforts at reforming the entrenched ethnic imbalances in the Nigerian public
sector. It advances both philosophical and instrumentalist arguments in defence of
affirmative action and, against this background, examines the effectiveness of the
commission. A core argument is that the commission should be evaluated on both its
intended and unintended effects on Nigerian public life. If this wider standard is used, then
the commission has contributed positively to the management of ethnic inequalities in the
Nigerian public sector. Some of the challenges facing the commission are also highlighted.