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Politics of Nigeria takes place in a framework of a federal presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the President of Nigeria is both head of state and head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the two chambers of the legislature, the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Executive branch
The executive branch is divided into the following Ministries:The Official Information Gateway of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (accessed 07-16-2006)
| Ministry | Minister | Minister of State |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development | Alhaji Adamu Bello | Otunba Bamidele F. Dada |
| Federal Ministry of Aviation | Babalola Borisade | |
| Federal Ministry of Commerce | Aliyu Modibo | |
| Federal Ministry of Communications | Cornelius Adebayo | |
| Federal Ministry of Co-operation and Integration in Africa | Lawan Gana Guba | |
| Federal Ministry of Culture & Tourism | Femi Fani-Kayode | |
| Federal Ministry of Defence | Rabiu Kwankwaso | |
| Federal Ministry of Education | Obiageli Ezekwesili | Saiyyadi Abba Ruma |
| Federal Ministry of Environment | Helen Esuene | |
| Federal Ministry of Finance | Nenadi Usman | Elias Mbam |
| Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs | Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala | |
| Federal Ministry of Health | Eyitayo Lambo | Halima Alao |
| Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development | Rahman Olusegun Mimiko | |
| Federal Ministry of Industries | Fidelis Naanmiap Tapgun | |
| Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation | Frank Nweke | |
| Federal Ministry of Inter-governmental Affairs, Youth Development and Special Duties | Grace Ogwuche | |
| Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs | Oluyemi Adeniji | |
| Federal Ministry of Justice | Bayo Ojo | |
| Federal Ministry of Labour & Productivity | Hassan Muhammed Lawal | |
| Federal Ministry of Police Affairs | Alaowei Broderick Bozimo | |
| Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources | Edmund Dakoru | |
| Federal Ministry of Power & Steel | Liyel Imoke | |
| Federal Ministry of Science & Technology | Isoun Turner | |
| Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development | Lesley Obiorah | |
| Federal Ministry of Sports and Social Development | Bala Bawa Ka'oje | |
| Federal Ministry of Transport | Precious Sekibo | |
| Federal Ministry of Water Resources | Alhaji Muktari Shagari | Salome Jankada |
| Federal Ministry of Women Affairs | Maryam Ciroma | |
| Federal Ministry of Works | Obafemi Anibaba | Malam Yahaya Abdulkarim |
Legislative branch
The National Assembly has two chambers. The House of Representatives has 360 members, elected for a four year term in single-seat constituencies. The Senate has 109 members, elected for a four year term in 36 three-seat constituencies (corresponding to the country's states) and one seat in a single-seat constituency (the federal capital, Abuja).
Political parties and elections
Legal system
There are four distinct systems of law in Nigeria. English Law which is derived from its colonial past with Britain, common law, constitutional law (both a development of its post colonial independence), and Sharia law, used only in the predominately Hausa and Muslim north of the country. While there was some controversy with the implementation of Sharia law, the legal systems seemingly work well.
Like the United States, there is a Judicial branch with a Supreme Court which is regarded as the highest court of the land.
Administrative divisions
The federation is divided in 36 states and 1 territory*; Federal Capital Territory (Abuja)*, Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nassarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara
Military
The military of Nigeria has played a major role in the country's history, often seizing control of the country and ruling it through major periods of its history. Its last period of rule ended in 1999 following the death of the leader of the previous military junta Sani Abacha in 1998.
Active duty personnel in the three Nigerian armed services is total approximately 76,000. The Nigerian Army, the largest of the services, has about 60,000 personnel deployed in two mechanized infantry divisions, one composite division (airborne and amphibious), the Lagos Garrison Command (a division size unit), and the Abuja-based Brigade of Guards. It has demonstrated its capability to mobilize, deploy, and sustain battalions in support of peacekeeping operations in Liberia, former Yugoslavia, Angola, Rwanda, Somalia, and Sierra Leone. The Nigerian Navy (7,000) is equipped with frigates, fast attack craft, convettes, and coastal patrol boats. The Nigerian Air Force (9,000) flies transport, trainer, helicopter, and fighter aircraft, but most are currently not operational. Nigeria also has pursued a policy of developing domestic training and military production capabilities. Nigeria has continued a strict policy of diversification in her military procurement from various countries. After the imposition of sanctions by many Western nations, Nigeria turned to the People's Republic of China, Russia, North Korea, and India for the purchase of military equipment and training.
Foreign relations
Nigeria is currently in better foreign relations due to her current state of democracy and with the help of the current president Obasanjo. It is a member of the African Union and sits on that organizsation's Peace and Security Council. Since 1960 Nigeria has been a member of the UN and also joined the Commonwealth of Nations the same year, however they were briefly suspended between 1995 and 1999. Nigeria is member of ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, AU ECOWAS, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
References
Government of Nigeria | Politics of Nigeria | Judicial branch of the Government of Nigeria | Executive branch of the Government of Nigeria | Legislative branch of the Government of Nigeria Política da Nigéria
"Politics of Nigeria"