Nigeria · Legislation
Legislation and primary sources
Where to find the authoritative text of the law in Nigeria, and how to confirm it is still in force.
Sources of law, ranked
- Constitution
- Supreme; section 1(3) voids inconsistent law.
- Federal Acts
- National Assembly legislation on Exclusive and Concurrent List matters.
- State laws
- State assemblies legislate on Concurrent and Residual matters.
- Received English law
- Common law, doctrines of equity and statutes of general application pre-1900.
- Customary law
- Applied where not repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience.
- Sharia
- Personal status and, in twelve northern states, codified criminal provisions.
The legislative process
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.
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