In the aftermath of military rule, Nigeria's new civilian, democratic federal system is highly centralized while also being fragmented subnationally. There is much pressure to reconstitute the federal system, devolve powers, provide for a more equitable distribution of natural-resource revenues...

The sentencing under Sharia law in Nigeria's northern state of Katsina in 2002 of a 31-year-old woman, Amina Lawal, to be stoned to death for adultery highlighted the rising religious conflict and violence that has occurred since the resumption of civilian democratic governance in 1999. Although...