Legal System of Nigeria
Nigeria is located in Africa. It is geographically situated in western africa, bordering the gulf of guinea, between benin and cameroon. The country achieved independence on 1 october 1960 (from the uk). The capital is Abuja.
Government Overview
Government Type: federal presidential republic Chief of State: President Bola Ahmed Adekunle TINUBU (since 29 May 2023) Head of Government: President Bola Ahmed Adekunle TINUBU (since 29 May 2023) Cabinet: Federal Executive Council appointed by the president but constitutionally required to include at least one member from each of the 36 states 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, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara National Holiday: Independence Day (National Day), 1 October (1960) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Legal System
The legal system of Nigeria is described as mixed system of English common law, Islamic law (in 12 northern states), and traditional law International Law: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Constitutional Framework
The constitution has the following history: several previous; latest adopted 5 May 1999, effective 29 May 1999 Amendment Process: proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of both houses and approval by the Houses of Assembly of at least two thirds of the states; amendments to constitutional articles on the creation of a new state, fundamental constitutional rights, or constitution-amending procedures requires at least four-fifths majority vote by both houses of the National Assembly and approval by the Houses of Assembly in at least two thirds of the states; passage of amendments limited to the creation of a new state require at least two-thirds majority vote by the proposing National Assembly house and approval by the Houses of Assembly in two thirds of the states
Judicial Branch
Highest Court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 15 justices) Judge Selection: judges appointed by the president upon the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, a 23-member independent body of federal and state judicial officials; judge appointments confirmed by the Senate; judges serve until age 70 Subordinate Courts: Court of Appeal; Federal High Court; High Court of the Federal Capital Territory; Sharia Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory; Customary Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory; state court system similar in structure to federal system
Legislative Branch
The legislative structure consists of bicameral Lower Chamber: House of Representatives (360 (all directly elected) seats) Electoral System (Lower Chamber): plurality/majority Upper Chamber: Senate
Citizenship and Suffrage
Citizenship by Birth: no Citizenship by Descent: at least one parent must be a citizen of Nigeria Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Historical Background
In ancient and pre-colonial times, the area of present-day Nigeria was occupied by a variety of ethnic groups with different languages and traditions. These included large Islamic kingdoms such as Borno, Kano, and the Sokoto Caliphate dominating the north, the Benin and Oyo Empires that controlled much of modern western Nigeria, and more decentralized political entities and city states in the south and southeast.
This article provides a summary of the legal system and governmental structure of Nigeria based on the CIA World Factbook. The Factbook is a public domain publication of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.