Isabella Carter
The Constitution of Nigeria is the supreme law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It outlines the fundamental rights of individuals, including life, liberty, dignity, privacy, freedom of expression, religious freedom, and security from slavery, violence, discrimination, and forced service in the military. It also defines the nation's capital, 36 states and their capitals, and 774 local government areas within Nigeria. Nigeria has had many constitutions, with the current form enacted on 29 May 1999, establishing the Fourth Nigerian Republic with democratic rule. The constitution also defines citizenship and naturalisation processes, the National Assembly, and the powers and responsibilities of the President.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date enacted | 29 May 1999 |
| Republic | Fourth Nigerian Republic |
| Human rights | Restricted to citizens only |
| Diversity | 374 multilingual groups with different cultures and traditions |
| Legislative powers | Vested in a National Assembly with two chambers: a Senate and a House of Representatives |
| Individual rights | Life, liberty, dignity, privacy, freedom of expression, religious freedom, security from slavery, violence, discrimination, forced service in the military, right to a timely and fair trial, presumption of innocence, right to own land, right of assembly, freedom of movement |
| Religion | No state religion |
| Local government | System of democratically elected local government councils |
| Citizenship | Provisions for citizenship by birth, registration, or naturalisation |
| Economy | Control the national economy to secure the welfare, freedom, and happiness of every citizen, with a focus on distributing resources, preventing wealth concentration, and providing essential services and welfare |
| Electoral Commission | Independent National Electoral Commission with powers over political parties |
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What You'll Learn
The rights of citizens
The current Nigerian constitution was enacted on 29 May 1999, establishing the Fourth Nigerian Republic. This constitution outlines the fundamental rights of citizens, including:
Life, Liberty, and Security
Citizens have the right to life, liberty, dignity, and security from slavery, violence, discrimination, and forced service in the military.
Freedom of Expression and Religion
The constitution guarantees freedom of expression and religious freedom. It also specifies that the government shall not adopt any religion as a state religion.
Right to a Fair Trial
Nigerians have the right to a timely and fair trial if arrested, and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
Right to Own Land and Freedom of Movement
Citizens have the right to own land and the freedom to assemble and associate with others. They also have the freedom of movement throughout the country.
Political Participation
The constitution provides for democratic local governments and guarantees the right of citizens aged 18 and above to register as voters and participate in elections. It also ensures that political parties are open to all citizens, regardless of their background.
Social and Economic Rights
The state is directed to ensure the maximum welfare, freedom, and happiness of all citizens, with equal status and opportunities. This includes providing essential services such as food security, shelter, a minimum living wage, and benefits for the unemployed, sick, and disabled.
Citizenship
The constitution addresses citizenship rights, including the process of becoming a citizen by birth, registration, or naturalisation. It also grants residential rights to non-Nigerian spouses of citizens who do not wish to acquire Nigerian citizenship.
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The role of the President
The current Nigerian constitution was enacted on 29 May 1999, establishing the Fourth Nigerian Republic. This constitution outlines the role of the President of Nigeria.
The President of Nigeria is the head of state and head of government. They are responsible for executing and enforcing the laws of the country, as well as appointing key officials, including the cabinet members, judges, and ambassadors. The President also has the power to make regulations and grant special immigrant status to non-Nigerian spouses of citizens. Additionally, they are tasked with ensuring the security and welfare of Nigerians, including economic welfare, and are responsible for the control of the national economy.
The President is also the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, responsible for declaring war, deploying troops, and making peace. They represent Nigeria in international relations and can negotiate and sign treaties, agreements, or conventions with other nations. The President also has the power to grant pardons and reprieves, commute sentences, and grant amnesties.
In terms of domestic policy, the President works with the legislative branch, which consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives, to create and implement laws. They can also propose legislation and have the power to veto bills passed by the National Assembly. The President is also responsible for presenting an annual budget to the National Assembly and ensuring that the country's funds are spent appropriately.
The President of Nigeria is elected by popular vote and serves a four-year term, with a limit of two consecutive terms.
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The National Assembly
Nigeria's legislative powers are vested in the National Assembly, which consists of two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives. The National Assembly has the power to make laws for the "peace, order and good government of the Federation".
The Nigerian Constitution outlines the fundamental rights of individuals, including life, liberty, dignity, privacy, freedom of expression, religious freedom, and security from slavery, violence, discrimination, and forced service in the military. Nigerians also have the right to a timely and fair trial if arrested, the presumption of innocence, the right to own land, the right of assembly, and freedom of movement.
The Constitution establishes a system of democratically elected local government councils, with each state consisting of a defined area and having a capital city. The Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, is defined in the Constitution, and the number of Local Government Areas in Nigeria is specified as 768, with six area councils.
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The nation's ethics
Nigeria's constitution is the written supreme law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The nation has had many constitutions, with the current form enacted on 29 May 1999, establishing the Fourth Nigerian Republic.
The constitution protects four laws: the Land Use Act, the National Securities Agencies Act, the National Youth Service legislation, and the Public Complaints Commission Act. It also outlines the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission, which has the power to organise, undertake, and supervise all elections to various offices, register political parties, and monitor their operations and finances.
The constitution also addresses the nation's economic policies, stating that the State shall control the national economy to secure the maximum welfare, freedom, and happiness of every citizen, based on social justice and equality of status and opportunity. It aims to prevent the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few and provides for suitable and adequate shelter, the right to food, a reasonable national minimum living wage, and welfare for the elderly, unemployed, and disabled.
The constitution also outlines the role of the President, who may make regulations and grant special immigrant status with full residential rights to non-Nigerian spouses of citizens. It also defines the national capital, 36 states and their capitals, and 774 local government areas within Nigeria, each with its own legislative powers.
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The constitution's history
The Constitution of Nigeria is the written supreme law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Nigeria has had many constitutions, with its current form enacted on 29 May 1999, establishing the Fourth Nigerian Republic.
The first constitution of Nigeria as a sovereign state was enacted by a British Order-in-Council and came into force upon the country's independence on 1 October 1960. Under this constitution, Nigeria retained Queen Elizabeth II as the titular head of state, with Nnamdi Azikiwe as Governor-General.
The country's second constitution came into force on the third anniversary of Nigeria's independence, on 1 October 1963. This constitution abolished the monarchy and established the First Nigerian Republic, with Nnamdi Azikiwe as the first President of Nigeria. This constitution was based on the Westminster system and was used until a military coup in 1966 overthrew the country's democratic institutions.
The 1979 constitution established the Second Nigerian Republic, abandoning the Westminster system in favour of a United States-style presidential system with direct elections. This constitution also mandated political parties to register in at least two-thirds of the states and established a Cabinet of Nigeria, with each state having at least one member, giving a "federal character" to the nation.
The 1993 constitution was meant to establish the Third Nigerian Republic and return democratic rule to Nigeria, but it was never fully implemented due to continued military control until May 1999.
The current 1999 constitution, which created the Fourth Nigerian Republic, is a federation with democratic rule. It defines the national capital, 36 states and their capitals, and 774 local government areas within Nigeria. It establishes the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government, outlining their duties and the separation of powers between the branches and federal and state governments. It also guarantees fundamental human rights, including life, liberty, dignity, privacy, freedom of expression, religious freedom, and security from slavery, violence, discrimination, and forced service in the military.
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Frequently asked questions
The constitution of Nigeria is the written supreme law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It outlines the fundamental rights of individuals, including life, liberty, dignity, privacy, freedom of expression, religious freedom, and security from slavery, violence, discrimination, and forced service in the military.
Nigeria has had many constitutions due to its diverse and divided nature, with over 374 multilingual groups and a history of political corruption. The current form, enacted on May 29, 1999, is the Fourth Nigerian Republic, a federation with democratic rule. Previous constitutions include the 1979 constitution, which established the Second Nigerian Republic, and the 1993 constitution, which established the Third Nigerian Republic but was never fully implemented due to military control.
The Nigerian Constitution defines the national capital, 36 states and their capitals, and 774 local government areas within the country. It also establishes the National Assembly, outlining the composition and powers of this body, as well as the House of Assembly of each state. The constitution guarantees freedom of assembly and association, the right to a timely and fair trial, and the presumption of innocence. It also protects specific laws, such as the Land Use Act, the National Securities Agencies Act, and the National Youth Service legislation.
The Nigerian Constitution outlines the requirements for citizenship and naturalization. It grants citizenship to those born in Nigeria, registered, or naturalized under previous constitutions. It also allows the President to grant citizenship to those who are of good character, intend to reside in Nigeria, and have taken the Oath of Allegiance. The constitution provides a process for renouncing citizenship and addresses the rights of non-Nigerian spouses of citizens.
The Nigerian Constitution establishes the role of the President, who can make regulations and grant special immigrant status. It also outlines the powers of the Independent National Electoral Commission, which oversees elections, registers political parties, and monitors their operations and finances. The constitution defines the national ethics, including discipline, integrity, dignity of labor, social justice, religious tolerance, self-reliance, and patriotism.
