Government and Politics of Nigeria

Government Type

republic transitioning from military to civilian rule

Administrative Divisions

36 states and 1 territory*; Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Federal Capital Territory*, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nassarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara

Legal System

based on English common law, Islamic Shariah law (only in some northern states), and traditional law

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Nigeria dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 15 years

Executive Branch

chief of state: President Bola Ahmed TINUBU (since 29 May 2023); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Bola Ahmed TINUBU (since 29 May 2023); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Federal Executive Council appointed by the president elections: president is elected by popular vote for no more than two four-year terms; election last held 25 February 2023 (next to be held in February 2027) election results: Bola Ahmed TINUBU elected president; percent of vote - Bola Ahmed TINUBU (APC) 36.6%, Atiku ABUBAKAR (PDP) 29.1%, Peter OBI (LP) 25.4%, Rabiu KWANKWASO (NNPP) 6.4%, other 2.5%

Legislative Branch

Bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (109 seats — 3 from each of the 36 states plus 1 from the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives (360 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms). Elections: Senate — last held on 25 February 2023 (next to be held in 2027); House of Representatives — last held on 25 February 2023 (next to be held in 2027). Election results: Senate — seats by party — APC 59, PDP 36, LP 8, NNPP 2, other 4; House of Representatives — seats by party — APC 162, PDP 102, LP 35, NNPP 19, other 42. The All Progressives Congress (APC) retained its majority in both chambers, while the Labour Party made notable gains compared to previous elections, reflecting a significant shift in the country's political landscape.

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court (judges appointed by the President); Federal Court of Appeal (judges are appointed by the federal government on the advice of the Advisory Judicial Committee)

Political Parties

Alliance for Democracy or AD [Mojisoluwa AKINFENWA]; All Nigeria Peoples' Party or ANPP [Don ETIEBET]; All Progressives Grand Alliance or APGA [disputed leadership]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Aliyu Habu FARI]; Peoples Democratic Party or PDP [Dr. Ahmadu ALI]; Peoples Redemption Party or PRP [Abdulkadir Balarabe MUSA]; Peoples Salvation Party or PSP [Lawal MAITURARE]; United Nigeria Peoples Party or UNPP [disputed leadership]

Head of State

President Bola Ahmed TINUBU

Head of Government

President Bola Ahmed TINUBU

Cabinet

Federal Executive Council

Elections

Senate — last held on 25 February 2023 (next to be held in 2027); House of Representatives — last held on 25 February 2023 (next to be held in 2027).

Election Results

Senate — seats by party — APC 59, PDP 36, LP 8, NNPP 2, other 4; House of Representatives — seats by party — APC 162, PDP 102, LP 35, NNPP 19, other 42. The All Progressives Congress (APC) retained its majority in both chambers, while the Labour Party made notable gains compared to previous elections, reflecting a significant shift in the country's political landscape.

Constitution

new constitution adopted May 1999

Independence

1 October 1960 (from UK)

National Holiday

Independence Day (National Day), 1 October (1960)

International Organization Participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMOVIC, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

chief of mission: Ambassador Professor George A. OBIOZOR chancery: 3519 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 986-8400 FAX: [1] (202) 775-1385 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, New York

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

chief of mission: Ambassador John CAMPBELL embassy: 7 Mambilla Drive, Abuja mailing address: P. O. Box 554, Lagos telephone: [234] (9) 523-0916/0906/5857/2235/2205 FAX: [234] (9) 523-0353

Capital City

Abuja

Location

9 05 N, 7 32 E

Time Difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

History

Abuja is a planned capital city, it replaced Lagos in 1991; situated in the center of the country, Abuja takes its name from a nearby town, now renamed Suleja

U.S. Embassy Abuja 1075 Diplomatic Drive, Central Area, Abuja Telephone: 234 (9) 461-4176 during office hours (Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) For after-hours emergencies, call 234 (9) 461-4000 Email: consularabuja@state.gov U.S. Consulate General Lagos 2 Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos Telephone: 234 (1) 460-3600 during office hours (Monday through Thursday 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) For after-hours emergencies, call 234 (1) 460-3400 or 0805-301-0268 Email: LagosACS@state.gov

Military Branches

Nigerian Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force

Service Age and Obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription