Structure of the Nigerian Government

There are three arms of government: Legislature, Executive and Judiciary. There are also three tiers of Government: Federal, State and Local Government.

The Legislature is responsible for law-making, representation, oversight, confirming the appointments of Ministers, Ambassadors, Judges, Chairmen, Members of Commissions, etc. The Executive is responsible for the day-to-day management of Government. The Executive also conceives, formulates, executes and monitors government policies, programs, and projects of government. The Judiciary simply adjudicates.

Nigeria runs the Presidential System. The Federal Government is headed by the President who is also the Commander–in–Chief of the Armed Forces. The 36 States are headed by State Governors. At the Federal Level, the President of the Senate heads the Legislature and the Speaker heads the House of Representatives. The Senate consists of 1 senator from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and 3 senators each from the 36 States, representing the senatorial districts in each state. This makes a total of 109 senators. The House of Representatives consists of 360 members.

The Judiciary is headed by the Chief Justice of the Federation. At the State Level, the Legislature and Judiciary are headed by the Speakers of the States House of Assembly, and the Chief Judges, respectively.

Law-making is done in the National Assembly, at the Federal level, and the State House of Assembly, at the State Level. Members of the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly are elected by the citizens to approve budget and make laws. Implementation of laws is the function of the Executive.

M2:S3 - Structure of the Nigerian Government

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