Law of Nigeria

Module 2

The Constitution and federal institutions: the presidency, the National Assembly, lawmaking, the Federal Executive Council, elections and the separation of powers

The Constitution of 1999 sets up a presidential system of government in a federal republic. The President is both head of state and chief executive, directly elected for four years and limited to two terms, and exercises executive power with a Vice-President and a Federal Executive Council of ministers. Legislative power belongs to the National Assembly, made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The courts exercise judicial power (Module 4), and independent bodies, above all the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), run elections. The Constitution tries to prevent concentration of power through checks between the arms, federal character in appointments and a federal structure (Module 3). A foreigner who invests, works or lives in Nigeria meets these institutions in licences, decrees, regulations and elections, so it helps to know who decides what.

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.