Government of Nigeria: Structure and Branches

• The official name of Nigeria is the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

• Nigeria has a federal government, which means it has elected representatives.

• Power within the government is divided among the national, state, and local governments.

• Nigeria has thirty-six states.

• Nigeria's government is based on a constitution written in 1999.

• That constitution allowed for a peaceful transition from military rule to civilian rule.

• The constitution has been amended several times since then.

• Nigeria's government is divided into three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.

Branches of Government

• The executive branch includes the head of government and the cabinet.

• Nigeria has an elected president, making it a presidential democracy.

• The president is elected for a four-year term and can serve two terms in a row.

• Citizens age 18+ are allowed to vote in elections.

• The president serves as both the head of government and the head of state.

• The executive branch includes the cabinet, called the Federal Executive Council.

• The president appoints people to the cabinet.

• Nigeria is currently enjoying its longest civilian rule since independence.

• The 2003 and 2007 presidential elections were marked with violence and possible cheating.

• There are six major political parties in Nigeria.

• Only two political parties have had a president elected since 1999.

• The People's Democratic Party ruled Nigeria from 1999, but lost the 2015 election to the All Progressives Congress political party.

• The legislative branch is called the National Assembly, and it's made up of two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives.

• The Senate has 109 seats with three senators from each state and one from the capital, Abuja.

• Senators are elected for four-year terms.

• The House of Representatives has 360 seats.

• Members are also elected to four-year terms.

• The judicial branch has a Supreme Court with one chief justice and fifteen justices.

• Justices are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.

• They serve on the Supreme Court until they reach the age of sixty-five.

• Islamic law, or Sharia Law, is used in some form in the twelve states in the northern part of Nigeria.

• Much of the law in Nigeria is based on British law traditions due to years of colonial rule.

Challenges Facing the Government

• Nigeria's government faces many challenges, including government corruption and terrorism.

• Nigeria has a history of violent and nonviolent rule by military dictators.

• Citizens are learning what it is like to have responsible, elected leaders.

• The government continues to work toward making sure its democracy is working properly.

• It is also working to diversify its economy, making it less dependent on oil.

• Government forces were accused of killing 150 peaceful protesters in 2015 who were marching in favor of Biafran independence.

• Later in the same year, the army was accused of killing more than 340 Shia Muslims.

• International governments expressed concern over the violence.

• The events reminded observers of Biafran independence concerns.

Explore the structure of Nigeria's government, including its federal system and the division of power among national, state, and local entities. Learn about the 1999 constitution, the three branches of government, and the role of the elected president in this presidential democracy.