Police Service Commission Exam Exam > Police Service Commission Exam Notes > General Knowledge for Police Exam Preparation (Nigeria) > Cheatsheet: Nigerian Government Structure
Cheatsheet: Nigerian Government Structure
1. Constitutional Framework
1.1 1999 Constitution
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Effective Date | May 29, 1999 |
| Chapters | 8 chapters, 320 sections |
| Amendment Process | Requires two-thirds majority of National Assembly and approval by at least 24 state Houses of Assembly |
| Supremacy Clause | Section 1(1) - Constitution is supreme; any law inconsistent with it is void |
1.2 System of Government
- Presidential system with separation of powers
- Federal structure with three tiers: Federal, State, and Local Government
- 36 states plus Federal Capital Territory (Abuja)
- 774 Local Government Areas
2. Executive Branch
2.1 Federal Executive
| Position | Key Details |
|---|---|
| President | Head of State and Commander-in-Chief; 4-year term, maximum 2 terms; must win majority votes and 25% in at least 24 states |
| Vice President | Elected on same ticket as President; assumes office if President is incapacitated |
| Federal Executive Council | Cabinet comprising Ministers appointed by President and confirmed by Senate |
| Ministries | At least one Minister from each state; maximum of 36 Ministers |
2.2 State Executive
| Position | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Governor | Chief Executive of state; 4-year term, maximum 2 terms |
| Deputy Governor | Elected on same ticket as Governor |
| State Executive Council | Commissioners appointed by Governor and approved by State House of Assembly |
2.3 Local Government Executive
- Chairman: Elected head of local government; 3-year term
- Vice Chairman: Elected alongside Chairman
- Supervisory Councillors: Appointed to oversee departments
3. Legislative Branch
3.1 National Assembly
| Chamber | Composition |
|---|---|
| Senate | 109 members: 3 from each state (36 × 3 = 108) + 1 from FCT; 4-year term |
| House of Representatives | 360 members from federal constituencies; 4-year term |
3.1.1 Senate Leadership
- President of the Senate (Presiding officer)
- Deputy President of the Senate
- Senate Leader and Minority Leader
3.1.2 House of Representatives Leadership
- Speaker of the House
- Deputy Speaker
- Majority Leader and Minority Leader
3.2 State Houses of Assembly
- Unicameral legislature in each state
- Minimum 24 members, maximum 40 members per state
- 4-year term
- Headed by Speaker and Deputy Speaker
3.3 Local Government Legislative Council
- Councillors elected from wards within the local government area
- Leader of the Council presides over sessions
- 3-year term
3.4 Legislative Functions
| Function | Description |
|---|---|
| Law-Making | Debate and pass bills into laws |
| Oversight | Monitor executive implementation of laws and budgets |
| Budget Approval | Scrutinize and approve annual budgets |
| Confirmation | Confirm appointments of Ministers, Ambassadors, and key officials |
| Impeachment | Power to remove President/Governor for gross misconduct (two-thirds majority) |
4. Judicial Branch
4.1 Federal Court System
| Court | Details |
|---|---|
| Supreme Court | Highest court; final appellate jurisdiction; headed by Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN); minimum 15 Justices |
| Court of Appeal | Intermediate appellate court; headed by President of Court of Appeal; minimum 49 Justices |
| Federal High Court | Trial court for federal matters; headed by Chief Judge of Federal High Court |
| National Industrial Court | Handles labor and employment disputes |
4.2 State Court System
| Court | Details |
|---|---|
| High Court | Superior court of record in each state; headed by Chief Judge of the state |
| Customary Court of Appeal | Hears appeals from customary and area courts |
| Sharia Court of Appeal | Hears appeals on Islamic personal law (in states with Sharia) |
| Magistrate Courts | Lower courts handling minor civil and criminal cases |
4.3 Judicial Appointments
- Chief Justice of Nigeria: Appointed by President on recommendation of National Judicial Council (NJC), confirmed by Senate
- Supreme Court Justices: Appointed by President on NJC recommendation, confirmed by Senate
- Other federal judges: Appointed by President on NJC recommendation
- State Chief Judges: Appointed by Governor on NJC recommendation, confirmed by State House of Assembly
- Retirement Age: 70 years for Supreme Court; 65 years for Court of Appeal and lower courts
4.4 National Judicial Council
- Chaired by Chief Justice of Nigeria
- Recommends judicial appointments and handles discipline of judges
- Comprises senior judges, legal practitioners, and representatives
5. Exclusive, Concurrent, and Residual Powers
5.1 Exclusive Legislative List
68 items under exclusive federal jurisdiction (Second Schedule, Part I):
- Defense and armed forces
- Foreign affairs and immigration
- Currency, banking, and monetary policy
- Aviation and railways
- Police and national security
- Telecommunications
- Federal taxation (company income tax, VAT, customs duties)
- Mines and minerals (including petroleum)
5.2 Concurrent Legislative List
12 items shared between federal and state governments (Second Schedule, Part II):
- Education (tertiary level)
- Health
- Employment and labor
- Industrial development
- Electricity generation and distribution
- Antiquities and monuments
- Archives
- In case of conflict, federal law prevails
5.3 Residual Powers
Powers not listed in Exclusive or Concurrent Lists belong to states:
- Primary and secondary education
- State roads and infrastructure
- Agriculture
- Markets and local commerce
- Land use and urban planning
- Traditional institutions
- State taxation (personal income tax, property tax)
6. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
6.1 Structure and Composition
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Chairman | Appointed by President, confirmed by Senate; 5-year term (renewable once) |
| Members | 12 National Commissioners appointed by President, confirmed by Senate |
| Resident Electoral Commissioners | One for each state and FCT (37 total) |
| Independence | Constitutional body not subject to executive control |
6.2 Functions of INEC
- Conduct federal, state, and local government elections
- Register political parties and monitor their activities
- Register voters and maintain voter register
- Delineate electoral constituencies
- Announce official election results
- Conduct voter education programs
6.3 Types of Elections
| Election Type | Schedule |
|---|---|
| Presidential and National Assembly | Every 4 years (same day) |
| Governorship and State Assembly | Every 4 years, 2 weeks after presidential election |
| Local Government | Every 3 years (conducted by State Electoral Commissions in practice) |
7. Federal Character and Representation
7.1 Federal Character Principle
| Requirement | Application |
|---|---|
| Section 14(3) | Composition of government and appointments must reflect federal character |
| Geographic Spread | Appointments must consider diversity from all states and geopolitical zones |
| Federal Character Commission | Monitors compliance with federal character provisions |
7.2 Six Geopolitical Zones
| Zone | States |
|---|---|
| North-Central | Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, FCT (7) |
| North-East | Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, Yobe (6) |
| North-West | Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara (7) |
| South-East | Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo (5) |
| South-South | Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Rivers (6) |
| South-West | Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo (6) |
8. Key Government Agencies and Parastatals
8.1 Security Agencies
| Agency | Function |
|---|---|
| Nigeria Police Force | Headed by Inspector-General of Police; maintains law and order |
| State Security Service (SSS/DSS) | Domestic intelligence and security |
| National Intelligence Agency (NIA) | Foreign intelligence gathering |
| Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) | Protection of critical infrastructure and civil defense |
| Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) | Investigates financial crimes and corruption |
| Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) | Combats corruption in public service |
8.2 Revenue and Financial Agencies
| Agency | Function |
|---|---|
| Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) | Collects federal taxes including company income tax and VAT |
| Nigeria Customs Service | Collects import duties and controls borders |
| Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) | Monetary policy, currency issuance; Governor appointed for 5-year term |
| Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission | Recommends revenue allocation formula among tiers of government |
8.3 Regulatory and Service Agencies
- Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC): Regulates telecommunications
- National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC): Food and drug safety
- Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON): Product standards and quality control
- Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC): Business registration and regulation
- Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC): Oil and gas sector management
- Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC): Basic education funding and oversight
- National Universities Commission (NUC): Regulates universities
9. Fundamental Rights and Freedoms
9.1 Chapter IV Rights (Sections 33-46)
| Right | Section |
|---|---|
| Right to Life | Section 33 |
| Right to Dignity of Human Person | Section 34 |
| Right to Personal Liberty | Section 35 |
| Right to Fair Hearing | Section 36 |
| Right to Private and Family Life | Section 37 |
| Right to Freedom of Thought, Conscience, and Religion | Section 38 |
| Right to Freedom of Expression and Press | Section 39 |
| Right to Peaceful Assembly and Association | Section 40 |
| Right to Freedom of Movement | Section 41 |
| Right to Freedom from Discrimination | Section 42 |
| Right to Acquire and Own Property | Section 43-44 |
9.2 Enforcement
- Violations can be challenged in High Court, Federal High Court, or Supreme Court
- Courts can award compensation and issue injunctions
- National Human Rights Commission investigates violations
10. Public Service and Civil Service
10.1 Federal Civil Service
| Body | Function |
|---|---|
| Federal Civil Service Commission | Handles appointments, promotions, and discipline of civil servants |
| Head of Civil Service of the Federation | Administrative head of federal civil service |
| Permanent Secretaries | Highest civil servants in ministries; provide continuity |
10.2 State and Local Government Service
- State Civil Service Commission: Manages state civil servants
- Head of Service: Administrative head at state level
- Local Government Service Commission: In some states, manages local government staff
10.3 Code of Conduct
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Code of Conduct Bureau | Receives asset declarations from public officers |
| Code of Conduct Tribunal | Tries public officers for breaches of code of conduct |
| Asset Declaration | Required within 3 months of assumption of office and at end of term |
11. National Assembly Powers and Procedures
11.1 Bill Passage Process
- First Reading: Introduction and title read
- Second Reading: General principles debated; referred to committee
- Committee Stage: Detailed examination, clause-by-clause consideration
- Third Reading: Final debate and vote
- Passage to other chamber: Repeat process in Senate/House
- Presidential Assent: President signs into law within 30 days
- Veto Override: Two-thirds majority of both chambers can override presidential veto
11.2 Types of Bills
| Bill Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Executive Bill | Proposed by the executive branch |
| Private Member Bill | Proposed by individual legislators |
| Money Bill | Related to taxation and public funds; must originate in House of Representatives |
| Constitutional Amendment Bill | Requires two-thirds of both chambers and 24 state assemblies |
11.3 Legislative Powers
- Power to investigate any matter within legislative competence
- Power to summon witnesses and compel testimony
- Power to approve or reject executive nominations
- Power to override presidential veto with two-thirds vote
- Power to conduct hearings and public inquiries
12. Revenue Allocation and Federation Account
12.1 Federation Account
- All federally collected revenue (except dedicated funds) paid into Federation Account
- Distributed monthly among federal, state, and local governments
- Current revenue formula: Federal 52.68%, States 26.72%, Local Governments 20.60%
- 13% derivation principle for oil-producing states
12.2 Sources of Government Revenue
| Government Tier | Revenue Sources |
|---|---|
| Federal | Petroleum profits, company income tax, VAT, customs duties, excise duties, federation account allocation |
| State | Personal income tax, business premises tax, federation account allocation, IGR (internal revenue) |
| Local Government | Property/tenement rates, market fees, motor park levies, federation account allocation, state allocation |
12.3 Value Added Tax (VAT)
- Currently 7.5% (increased from 5% in 2020)
- Collected by FIRS and distributed through Federation Account
- Distribution: Federal 15%, States 50%, Local Governments 35%
13. Political Parties and Electoral System
13.1 Political Party Registration
- Registered by INEC upon meeting constitutional requirements
- Must have national spread: offices in at least 24 states
- Must have executive committee in at least two-thirds of states
- Membership must reflect federal character
- No party can be based on ethnic, religious, or sectional grounds
13.2 Electoral Requirements
| Position | Electoral Requirements |
|---|---|
| President | Majority of votes cast plus 25% in at least 24 states; run-off if no winner |
| Governor | Majority of votes plus 25% in at least two-thirds of LGAs in state |
| Senate/House/Assembly | Simple majority (first-past-the-post) |
| Local Government Chairman | Simple majority |
13.3 Voter Qualifications
- Must be a Nigerian citizen
- Must be 18 years or older
- Must be registered with INEC
- Must possess Permanent Voter's Card (PVC)
- Must be resident in the constituency
13.4 Disqualifications from Holding Office
- Conviction for dishonesty or fraud within 10 years
- Membership of secret society
- Dual citizenship (for President/Vice President, Governor/Deputy Governor)
- Failure to meet educational requirements (minimum School Certificate or equivalent)
- Mental incapacity
14. Local Government Administration
14.1 Functions of Local Government
Fourth Schedule lists functions including:
- Economic planning and development
- Primary healthcare and maternity services
- Primary education
- Markets, motor parks, and public conveniences
- Cemeteries and burial grounds
- Maintenance of rural roads and drainages
- Registration of births, deaths, and marriages
- Control of advertisement and billboards
- Establishment of parks and gardens
14.2 Local Government Finance
- Statutory allocation from Federation Account (20.60%)
- 10% of internally generated revenue from state
- Internally generated revenue (rates, fees, licenses)
- Grants from state and federal governments
14.3 State-Local Government Joint Account
- State and local government allocations paid into joint account
- Managed by committee with LG representation
- Distributions made according to constitutional formula
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Apr 20, 2026 Last updated
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