Nigeria · Government
Government and administration in Nigeria
How the executive, legislature and administrative state are organised, and which body is responsible for what.
The three branches
- Executive — President and Federal Executive Council
- Four-year term, renewable once; must win a plurality plus 25% in two-thirds of states.
- Legislative — National Assembly: Senate and House of Representatives
- 109 senators (three per state plus Abuja) and 360 representatives.
- Judicial — Federal and state judiciary
- Appointments on National Judicial Council recommendation.
- Federal — 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory
- Each state has a governor, assembly and High Court.
How legislation is made
Three readings in each chamber, committee scrutiny, then harmonisation of the two texts by a conference committee. The President assents or withholds; the Assembly can override a veto by two-thirds of both chambers.
Enforcement institutions
- Nigeria Police Force
- Single federal police service; states have no police of their own.
- Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
- EFCC investigates and prosecutes fraud and corruption.
- Federal Ministry of Justice
- The Attorney-General exercises federal prosecutorial discretion.
Government bodies and regulators
- independentCorporate Affairs CommissionRegisters and regulates companies.
- executiveFederal Inland Revenue ServiceAssesses and collects federal taxes.
- executiveNigeria Immigration ServiceControls entry, residence and work permits.
- independentNational Information Technology Development AgencyRegulates information technology and data governance.
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