Government and Politics
Country Name
- Long form: Federal Republic of Nigeria
- Short form: Nigeria
- Etymology: Derived from the Niger River, with the native term "Ni Gir" meaning "River Gir."
Government Structure
- Type: Federal presidential republic
- Capital: Abuja, located at 9°05' N and 7°32' E, is a planned city named after a nearby town, now Suleja.
Administrative Divisions
Nigeria is divided into 36 states and 1 Federal Capital Territory.
Independence and National Symbols
- Independence Day: 1 October 1960 (from the UK)
- National Symbols: Eagle; National colors: green and white
Constitution and Legal System
- Constitution: Adopted on 5 May 1999; several amendments, the latest in 2018.
- Legal System: A mix of English common law, Islamic law (in 12 northern states), and traditional law.
Citizenship and Suffrage
- Citizenship: By descent only; dual citizenship recognized.
- Suffrage: Universal at 18 years of age.
Executive Branch
- President: Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu (since 29 May 2023)
- Vice President: Kashim Shettima (since 29 May 2023)
- Cabinet: Federal Executive Council with at least one member from each of the 36 states.
Legislative Branch
- Structure: Bicameral National Assembly with the Senate (109 seats) and House of Representatives (360 seats).
- Elections: Held every four years; last in February 2023.
Judicial Branch
- Highest Court: Supreme Court, with a Chief Justice and 15 justices.
- Judge Selection: Appointed by the president, confirmed by the Senate, serving until age 70.
Political Parties
- Major parties include the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Labor Party (LP).
International Participation
- Active in various international organizations like the UN, WTO, AU, OPEC, and ECOWAS.
Political Pressure Groups
- Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and others.
Military and Security
- Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN): Army, Navy (includes Coast Guard), Air Force
- Ministry of Interior: Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Police Force (NPF) (2023)
National Anthem
"Arise Oh Compatriots, Nigeria's Call Obey" with lyrics from a national contest and music by Benedict Elide Odiase.
Flag Description
Three vertical bands of green, white, and green, symbolizing the country's natural wealth, peace, and unity.