Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country which operates a federal republic system of government modeled after the United States. This system is divided into three arms — the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary — each functioning independently to ensure a balance of power.
The Federal Government Structure
At the national level, the government consists of:
- Executive: Headed by the President of Nigeria and supported by the Federal Executive Council (EXCOF), the Executive branch is responsible for implementing laws, managing national policy, and overseeing ministries.
- Legislature: Composed of the bicameral National Assembly — the Senate and the House of Representatives. This branch handles lawmaking, budget approval, and oversight of the Executive.
- Judiciary: Includes the Supreme Court, Courts of Appeal, and Federal High Courts. The Judiciary interprets laws and settles disputes at both federal and state levels.
These three arms are replicated at the state level, where each of Nigeria’s 36 states has its own Executive (Governor, Deputy Governor, and State Executive Council), Legislature (State House of Assembly), and Judiciary (State High Courts).
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT)
Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, serves as the nation’s administrative and political center. Though not a state, it is governed by the federal government through the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), headed by a minister appointed by the President. Abuja houses key federal institutions, including the Presidency, National Assembly, and the Supreme Court.
The President of Nigeria
The President of Nigeria is both the Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. As of 2025, the President is Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a seasoned politician and former Governor of Lagos State.
The President is elected for a four-year term and may serve a maximum of two terms. Presidential duties include national leadership, foreign policy, military command, and economic management.
The National Assembly
Nigeria’s National Assembly is the country’s highest legislative body and consists of:
- The Senate: Comprising 109 Senators — 3 from each of the 36 states and 1 from the FCT.
- The House of Representatives: Made up of 360 elected members representing Nigeria’s various federal constituencies.
The National Assembly is responsible for passing federal laws, approving national budgets, confirming executive appointments, and performing oversight functions over government ministries and agencies.
Political Parties in Nigeria
Nigeria practices a multi-party democracy, though two major parties dominate the political landscape:
- All Progressives Congress (APC) — The ruling party as of 2025.
- People’s Democratic Party (PDP) — The major opposition party.
Other notable parties include the Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), among several others. These parties play active roles in national and local elections, providing candidates for executive and legislative positions at every government tier.
Recent Elections and Political Developments
Nigeria’s most recent general elections were held in February and March 2023. These elections produced President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC, several new state governors, and a reshuffled National Assembly.
The elections highlighted Nigeria’s vibrant, competitive democracy, though challenges like voter turnout, electoral violence, and logistical issues were noted. Electoral reforms and technology adoption, such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), played significant roles in enhancing election transparency.
Nigeria’s Federal Structure and Revenue Generation
Nigeria’s 36 states and one federal capital territory are semi-autonomous, generating their own revenue to support local operations while receiving allocations from federally controlled resources such as oil revenue, customs, and taxes.
There are 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs), constituting the third tier of government. LGAs are responsible for community-level services like primary education, health centers, and waste management. Constitutionally, they are entitled to a share of national revenue.
National Symbols: The Coat of Arms and National Flag
- Coat of Arms: The Nigerian Coat of Arms features a black shield representing fertile soil, flanked by silver wavy bands symbolizing the Niger and Benue Rivers. Two white horses signify dignity, while a red eagle above represents strength. The national colors — green and white — appear on the wreath above the shield. The motto is “Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress.”
- Flag: Nigeria’s flag comprises three vertical stripes — green, white, and green. The green symbolizes the nation’s agricultural wealth, while the white represents unity and peace.
Nigeria’s federal system balances power between the central government, states, and local governments, each with distinct responsibilities. This structure, along with powerful national symbols like the Coat of Arms and flag, underscores Nigeria’s unity in diversity.
