Jonah Patel
The current Nigerian Constitution was enacted on May 29, 1999, and established the Fourth Nigerian Republic. It was amended twice, with the amendments being signed into law in 2011 by the Goodluck Jonathan administration. The 1999 constitution, which was based on the 1979 constitution, ushered in a democratically elected civilian administration, defining the national capital, 36 states and their capitals, and 774 local government areas within Nigeria.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date Enacted | 29 May 1999 |
| Based On | 1979 Constitution |
| Amendments | 2, signed into law in 2011 |
| Current Status | In use |
| Established | Fourth Nigerian Republic |
| Government Type | Federation with democratic rule |
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What You'll Learn
The 1999 constitution was enacted on 29 May 1999
The 1999 Constitution of Nigeria was enacted on 29 May 1999, marking the end of sixteen years of military dictatorship and the start of the Fourth Nigerian Republic. This constitution was based on the 1979 Constitution of General Olusegun Obasanjo's military administration, and it established a federation with democratic rule.
The 1999 Constitution 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 and outlines their duties and the separation of powers between the branches and federal and state governments. The legislative powers are vested in a National Assembly with two chambers: a Senate and a House of Representatives.
The 1999 Constitution was a significant step in Nigeria's long history of constitutional development, which dates back to the colonial era. During the colonial period from 1914 to 1960, Nigeria had six constitutions: the 1914 Constitution, the 1922 Constitution, the 1946 Constitution, the 1951 Constitution, the 1954 Constitution, and the 1960 Constitution. These constitutions served as the legal instruments used by the colonial regime to govern the country.
The 1999 Constitution has undergone amendments since its enactment. In 2011, two proposed amendments were signed into law by the Goodluck Jonathan administration. Despite these amendments, the 1999 Constitution remains the foundational framework upon which the Nigerian government is built, governing the socio-political, religious, and economic life of the people.
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It created the Fourth Nigerian Republic
The 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, enacted on May 29, 1999, created the Fourth Nigerian Republic. This constitution was established after the military handed over power to an elected president, bringing an end to the sixteen-year-long military dictatorship that had begun in 1983. The 1999 Constitution was based on the 1979 Constitution, which was drafted during the military administration of General Olusegun Obasanjo.
The Fourth Nigerian Republic, established by the 1999 Constitution, introduced democratic rule to the country. This constitution defines the national capital, 36 states and their capitals, and 774 local government areas within Nigeria. It also establishes the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government, outlining their duties and the separation of powers between these branches and the federal and state governments.
The legislative powers under the Fourth Nigerian Republic are vested in a National Assembly, consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives. This National Assembly has the power to make laws for the "peace, order and good government of the Federation". The 1999 Constitution also recognises the diversity of Nigeria by providing for a federal structure with regional autonomy.
The 1999 Constitution has been amended multiple times since its enactment. Two amendments were signed into law in 2011 by the Goodluck Jonathan administration. However, despite these amendments, the 1999 Constitution remains the foundational framework upon which the Nigerian government is built, governing the socio-political, religious, and economic life of the people.
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It was based on the 1979 constitution
The 1999 Nigerian Constitution was enacted on May 29, 1999, establishing the Fourth Nigerian Republic and ending 16 years of military rule. It was largely modelled on the 1979 Constitution, which itself was a product of Nigeria's long history of constitutional development. This history dates back to the colonial era, with the country's first constitutions enacted during British colonial rule. During this period, from 1914 to 1960, Nigeria had six constitutions: the 1914 Constitution, the 1922 (Clifford) Constitution, the 1946 (Richards) Constitution, the 1951 (Macpherson) Constitution, the 1954 (Lyttleton) Constitution, and the 1960 Constitution.
The 1979 Constitution, which served as the basis for the 1999 Constitution, was created under the military administration of General Olusegun Obasanjo. This constitution, in turn, was likely influenced by the previous constitutional developments during the colonial era, particularly the Richards Constitution of 1946, which introduced the federal principle and recognised the country's diversity.
The 1999 Constitution, based on its 1979 predecessor, played a pivotal role in transitioning Nigeria to a democratically elected civilian administration. This constitution outlined the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government, delineating their duties and powers. It also defined the national capital, 36 states and their capitals, and 774 local government areas within the country.
The 1999 Constitution continues to be the legal framework governing Nigeria's socio-political, religious, and economic life. However, it has undergone amendments to keep pace with the evolving needs of the nation. For instance, in 2011, two proposed amendments were signed into law by the Goodluck Jonathan administration.
Despite the progress made through constitutional revisions, challenges remain. The 2025 version of the Nigerian constitution has been criticised for not fully supporting human rights. Unlike typical Western constitutions, which assert the equality of all persons, the Nigerian constitution restricts equality to citizens only. This limitation, coupled with the country's deep-rooted diversity and rampant political corruption, underscores the ongoing quest for an effective constitution in Nigeria.
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It established a federation with democratic rule
The 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, enacted on 29 May 1999, established the Fourth Nigerian Republic, a federation with democratic rule. This constitution was based on the 1979 constitution and became the legal instrument used to usher in the democratically elected civilian administration of the Third Republic. It defines the national capital, 36 states and their capitals, and 774 local government areas within Nigeria.
The 1999 Constitution establishes a legislative, executive, and judicial framework for the country, outlining the duties and separation of powers between the different branches of government and between federal and state governments. It vests legislative powers in a National Assembly, consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives, giving them the authority to make laws for the "peace, order, and good government of the Federation".
The establishment of a democratic federation in the 1999 Constitution marked a significant shift from the previous era of military rule. Following the 1993 annulment of the presidential election, which M. K. O. Abiola was acclaimed to have won, Nigeria experienced a series of military dictatorships until 1998, when General Sanni Abacha died suddenly. The 1999 Constitution, therefore, represented a return to democratic principles and civilian rule.
The 1999 Constitution also built upon earlier constitutional foundations. During the colonial era, Nigeria had several constitutions, including the 1922 Clifford Constitution, the 1946 Richards Constitution, the 1951 Macpherson Constitution, and the 1954 Lyttleton Constitution, which introduced federal principles and regional autonomy. The 1999 Constitution further entrenched these federal principles, establishing a more robust framework for democratic governance in Nigeria.
While the 1999 Constitution has been amended over the years, it remains the foundational framework for Nigeria's current democratic dispensation, shaping the socio-political, religious, and economic life of the country.
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It defines the national capital, 36 states and 774 local government areas
The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which was enacted on May 29, 1999, defines the national capital, 36 states, and 774 local government areas within the country. The constitution established the Fourth Nigerian Republic, marking a return to democratic rule after a period of military dictatorship.
The 36 states mentioned in the constitution include 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, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara. Each state's capital city is also recognised in the constitution.
The Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, is defined as the national capital. This provision places Nigeria in the category of federal states, similar to the United States of America and other countries with federal constitutions and systems of government.
The 774 local government areas within the Federal Republic of Nigeria have been a topic of discussion during constitutional amendment debates. Some individuals advocate for granting autonomous status to these areas, while others propose alternative measures to address alleged abuses of the Local Government and States Joint Account system by state governors.
The 1999 Constitution has undergone amendments since its enactment. In 2011, President Goodluck Jonathan signed three amendments, marking the first modifications since the constitution came into use. Further amendments were made in 2017 and 2023.
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Frequently asked questions
The 1999 Nigerian Constitution was amended in 2011 by the Goodluck Jonathan administration.
The 1999 Nigerian Constitution was based on the 1979 Constitution of General Olusegun Obasanjo's military administration.
The 1999 Nigerian Constitution, enacted on May 29, 1999, established the Fourth Nigerian Republic and ended 16 years of military rule. It defines the national capital, 36 states and their capitals, and 774 local government areas within the country.
