Law of Nigeria

Module 3

Federalism, states and legal pluralism: the federal and state lists, the thirty-six states and local governments, the Federal Capital Territory, customary law and Islamic law and the Sharia courts

Nigeria is a federation: the Constitution divides power between the Federal Government, the thirty-six states and, in a more limited way, the 774 local government areas, with Abuja as the Federal Capital Territory. The National Assembly makes law on the Exclusive List (defence, foreign affairs, currency, banking, customs, immigration, mines and minerals, among others) and, with the states, on the Concurrent List; everything else belongs to the states. Oil and other federal revenue is shared through the Federation Account. States do not have their own constitutions, and there is a single federal police force. Beside the state’s own courts, the Constitution recognises customary courts of appeal and Sharia courts of appeal, so that customary law and Islamic law are applied within the national system. For a foreigner, this module answers: which government regulates this matter, which state’s law applies and which court applies customary or Islamic law?

General education on the law of Nigeria, using invented people and businesses. It states laws and procedures in simplified form and is not legal advice. The law and its practice change, and every case turns on its facts, the authority and the state concerned. It does not offer legal representation or a legal opinion on any case. Consult a Nigerian legal practitioner for any real matter.

This course was written on 5 November 2026. To the best of our knowledge, it describes the law of Nigeria as it stood on that date. Laws change, and we may have missed or misunderstood something. If you notice a change, or have other information, please do not hesitate to contact us: we will review it and update the course. We do not claim to be the final source of the law.