Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended to 2023
Citizenship and Nationality
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    (1) The following persons are citizens of Nigeria by birth namely –
    (a) every person born in Nigeria before the date of independence, either of whose parents or any of whose grandparents belongs or belonged to a community indigenous to Nigeria:
    Provided that a person shall not become a citizen of Nigeria by virtue of this section if neither of his parents nor any of his grandparents was born in Nigeria;
    (b) every person born in Nigeria after the date of independence either of whose parents or any of whose grandparents is a citizen of Nigeria; and
    (c) every person born outside Nigeria either of whose parents is a citizen of Nigeria.
    (2) In this section, “the date of independence” means the 1st day of October 1960. (Sec. 25)
Citizenship and Nationality
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    (1) Subject to the provisions of section 28 of this Constitution, a person to whom the provisions of this section apply may be registered as a citizen of Nigeria, if the President is satisfied that –
    (a) he is a person of good character;
    (b) he has shown a clear intention of his desire to be domiciled in Nigeria; and
    (c) he has taken the Oath of Allegiance prescribed in the Seventh Schedule to this Constitution.
    (2) the provisions of this section shall apply to –
    (a) any woman who is or has been married to a citizen of Nigeria; or
    (b) every person of full age and capacity born outside Nigeria any of whose grandparents is a citizen of Nigeria. (Sec. 26)
Citizenship and Nationality
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    (1) Any citizen of Nigeria of full age who wishes to renounce his Nigerian citizenship shall make a declaration in the prescribed manner for the renunciation.
    (2) The President shall cause the declaration made under subsection (1) of this section to be registered and upon such registration, the person who made the declaration shall cease to be a citizen of Nigeria.
    (3) The President may withhold the registration of any declaration made under subsection (1) of this section if –
    (a) the declaration is made during any war in which Nigeria is physically involved; or
    (b) in his opinion, it is otherwise contrary to public policy.
    (4) For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section –
    (a) “full age” means the age of eighteen years and above;
    (b) any woman who is married shall be deemed to be of full age. (Sec. 29)
Citizenship and Nationality
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    (1) The president may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Chapter,2 prescribing all matters which are required or permitted to be prescribed or which are necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to the provisions of this Chapter, and for granting special immigrant status with full residential rights to non-Nigerian spouses of citizens of Nigeria who do not wish to acquire Nigerian citizenship.
    … (Sec. 32)
Citizenship and Nationality
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    Notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter III3 of this Constitution but subject to section 28 thereof, any person who became a citizen of Nigeria by birth, registration or naturalisation under the provisions of any other Constitution shall continue to be a citizen of Nigeria under this Constitution. (Sec. 309)
Citizenship and Nationality
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    9. Citizenship, naturalisation and aliens.
    … (Second Schedule – Legislative Powers, Part I – Exclusive Legislative List)
Jurisdiction and Access
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    (1) The Supreme Court shall, to the exclusion of any other court, have original jurisdiction in any dispute between the Federation and a state or between states if and in so far as that dispute involves any question (whether of law or fact) on which the existence or extent of a legal right depends.
    (2) In addition to the jurisdiction conferred upon it by subsection (1) of this section, the Supreme Court shall have such original jurisdiction as may be conferred upon it by any Act of the National Assembly:
    Provided that no original jurisdiction shall be conferred upon the Supreme Court with respect to any criminal matter. (Sec. 232)
Jurisdiction and Access
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    (1) The Supreme Court shall have jurisdiction, to the exclusion of any other court of law in Nigeria, to hear and determine appeals from the Court of Appeal.
    (2) An appeal shall lie from the decisions of the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court as of right in the following cases–

    (b) decisions in any civil or criminal proceedings on questions as to the interpretation or application of this Constitution;
    (c) decisions in any civil or criminal proceedings on questions as to whether any of the provisions of Chapter IV4 of this Constitution has been, is being or is likely to be, contravened in relation to any person;
    … (Sec. 233)
Jurisdiction and Access
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    (1) An appeal shall lie from decisions of the Federal High Court or a High Court to the Court of Appeal as of right in the following cases –

    (c) decisions in any civil or criminal proceedings on questions as to the interpretation or application of this Constitution;
    (d) decisions in any civil or criminal proceedings on questions as to whether any of the provisions of Chapter IV of this Constitution has been, is being or is likely to be, contravened in relation to any person;
    … (Sec. 241)
Jurisdiction and Access
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    (1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Constitution and in addition to such other jurisdiction as may be conferred upon it by an Act of the National Assembly, the Federal High Court shall have and exercise jurisdiction to the exclusion of any other court in civil causes and matters –

    (q) subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the operation and interpretation of this Constitution in so far as it affects the Federal Government or any of its agencies;
    … (Sec. 251)
Jurisdiction and Access
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    (1) Where any question as to the interpretation or application of this Constitution arises in any proceedings in any court of law in any part of Nigeria (other than in the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, the Federal High Court or the National Industrial Court or a High Court) and the court is of the opinion that the question involves a substantial question of law, the court may, and shall if any of the parties to the proceedings so requests, refer the question to the Federal High Court or the National Industrial Court or a High Court having jurisdiction in that part of Nigeria and the Federal High Court or the National Industrial Court or the High Court shall
    (a) if it is of opinion that the question involves a substantial question of law, refer the question to the Court of Appeal; or
    (b) if it is of opinion that the question does not involve a substantial question of law, remit the question to the court that made the reference to be disposed of in accordance with such directions as the Federal High Court or the National Industrial Court or the High Court may think fit to give.
    (2) Where any question as to the interpretation or application of this constitution arises in any proceedings in the Federal High Court or the National Industrial Court or a High Court, and the court is of opinion that the question involves a substantial question of law, the court may, and shall if any party to the proceedings so requests, refer the question to the Court of Appeal; and where any question is referred in pursuance of this subsection, the court shall give its decision upon the question and the court in which the question arose shall dispose of the case in accordance with that decision.
    (3) Where any question as to the interpretation or application of this constitution arises in any proceedings in the Court of Appeal and the court is of opinion that the question involves a substantial question of law, the court may, and shall if any party to the proceedings so requests, refer the question to the Supreme Court which shall give its decision upon the question and give such directions to the Court of Appeal as it deems appropriate. (Sec. 295)
Education
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    (1) Government shall direct its policy towards ensuring that there are equal and adequate educational opportunities at all levels.
    (2) Government shall promote science and technology.
    (3) Government shall strive to eradicate illiteracy; and to this end Government shall as and when practicable provide –
    (a) free, compulsory and universal primary education;
    (b) free secondary education;
    (c) free university education; and
    (d) free adult literacy programme. (Sec. 18)
Employment Rights and Protection
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    ...
    (2) The State shall direct its policy towards ensuring:
    ...
    (d) … reasonable national minimum living wage,
    … (Sec. 16)
Employment Rights and Protection
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    (3) The State shall direct its policy towards ensuring that –
    (a) all citizens, without discrimination on any group whatsoever, have the opportunity for securing adequate means of livelihood as well as adequate opportunity to secure suitable employment;
    (b) conditions of work are just and humane, and that there are adequate facilities for leisure and for social, religious and cultural life;
    (c) the health, safety and welfare of all persons in employment are safeguarded and not endangered or abused;

    (e) there is equal pay for equal work without discrimination on account of sex, or on any other ground whatsoever;
    … (Sec. 17)
Employment Rights and Protection
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    (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 251, 257, 272 and anything contained in this Constitution and in addition to such other jurisdiction as may be conferred upon it by an Act of the National Assembly, the National Industrial Court shall have and exercise jurisdiction to the exclusion of any other court in civil causes and matters –
    (a) relating to or connected with any labour, employment, trade unions, industrial relations and matters arising from workplace, the conditions of service, including health, safety, welfare of labour, employee, worker and matters incidental thereto or connected therewith;
    ...
    (d) relating to or connected with any dispute over the interpretation and application of the provisions of Chapter IV5 of this Constitution as it relates to any employment, labour, industrial relations, trade unionism, employer’s association or any other matter which the Court has jurisdiction to hear and determine;
    (e) relating to or connected with any dispute arising from national minimum wage for the Federation or any part thereof and matters connected therewith or arising therefrom;
    (f) relating to or connected with unfair labour practice or international best practices in labour, employment and industrial relation matters;
    (g) relating to or connected with any dispute arising from discrimination or sexual harassment at workplace;
    … (Sec. 254C)
Employment Rights and Protection
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    34. Labour, including trade unions, industrial relations; conditions, safety and welfare of labour; industrial disputes; prescribing a national minimum wage for the Federation or any part thereof; and industrial arbitration.
    … (Second Schedule – Legislative Powers, Part I – Exclusive Legislative List)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
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    And to provide for a Constitution for the purpose of promoting the good government and welfare of all persons in our country, on the principles of freedom, equality and justice, and for the purpose of consolidating the unity of our people
    … (Preamble)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
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    (1) The motto of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress.
    (2) Accordingly, national integration shall be actively encouraged, whilst discrimination on the grounds of place of origin, sex, religion, status, ethnic or linguistic association or ties shall be prohibited.
    … (Sec. 15)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
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    (1) The State social order is founded on ideals of Freedom, Equality and Justice.
    (2) In furtherance of the social order –
    (a) every citizen shall have equality of rights, obligations and opportunities before the law;
    … (Sec. 17)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
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    (1) A citizen of Nigeria of a particular community, ethnic group, place of origin, sex, religion or political opinion shall not, by reason only that he is such a person: –
    (a) be subjected either expressly by, or in the practical application of, any law in force in Nigeria or any executive or administrative action of the government, to disabilities or restrictions to which citizens of Nigeria of other communities, ethnic groups, places of origin, sex, religions or political opinions are not made subject; or
    (b) be accorded either expressly by, or in the practical application of, any law in force in Nigeria or any such executive or administrative action, any privilege or advantage that is not accorded to citizens of Nigeria of other communities, ethnic groups, places of origin, sex, religions or political opinions.
    (2) No citizen of Nigeria shall be subjected to any disability or deprivation merely by reason of the circumstances of his birth.
    (3) Nothing in subsection (1) of this section shall invalidate any law by reason only that the law imposes restrictions with respect to the appointment of any person to any office under the State or as a member of the armed forces of the Federation or member of the Nigeria Police Forces or to an office in the service of a body, corporate established directly by any law in force in Nigeria. (Sec. 42)
Obligations of Private Parties
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    It shall be the duty of every citizen to –

    (c) respect the dignity of other citizens and the rights and legitimate interests of others and live in unity and harmony and in the spirit of common brotherhood;
    … (Sec. 24)
Judicial Protection
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    (6) The judicial powers vested in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this section –

    (b) shall extend, to all matters between persons, or between government or authority and to any persons in Nigeria, and to all actions and proceedings relating thereto, for the determination of any question as to the civil rights and obligations of that person;
    … (Sec. 6)
Judicial Protection
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    (1) Any person who alleges that any of the provisions of this Chapter6 has been, is being or likely to be contravened in any State in relation to him may apply to a High Court in that State for redress.
    (2) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, a High Court shall have original jurisdiction to hear and determine any application made to it in pursuance of this section and may make such orders, issue such writs and give such directions as it may consider appropriate for the purpose of enforcement or securing the enforcing within that State of any right to which the person who makes the application may be entitled under this Chapter.
    … (Sec. 46)
Judicial Protection
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    (2) An appeal shall lie from the decisions of the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court as of right in the following cases –

    (c) decisions in any civil or criminal proceedings on questions as to whether any of the provisions of Chapter IV7 of this Constitution has been, is being or is likely to be, contravened in relation to any person;
    … (Sec. 233)
Judicial Protection
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    (1) An appeal shall lie from decisions of the Federal High Court or a High Court to the Court of Appeal as of right in the following cases –

    (d) decisions in any civil or criminal proceedings on questions as to whether any of the provisions of Chapter IV of this Constitution has been, is being or is likely to be, contravened in relation to any person;
    … (Sec. 241)
Limitations and/or Derogations
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    (1) Nothing in sections 37, 38, 39, 40 and 41 of this Constitution shall invalidate any law that is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society –
    (a) in the interest of defence, public safety, public order, public morality or public health; or
    (b) for the purpose of protecting the rights and freedom or other persons.
    (2) An act of the National Assembly shall not be invalidated by reason only that it provides for the taking, during periods of emergency, of measures that derogate from the provisions of section 33 or 35 of this Constitution; but no such measures shall be taken in pursuance of any such act during any period of emergency save to the extent that those measures are reasonably justifiable for the purpose of dealing with the situation that exists during that period of emergency:
    Provided that nothing in this section shall authorise any derogation from the provisions of section 33 of this Constitution, except in respect of death resulting from acts of war or authorise any derogation from the provisions of section 36(8) of this Constitution.
    (3) In this section, a "period of emergency" means any period during which there is in force a Proclamation of a state of emergency declared by the President in exercise of the powers conferred on him under section 305 of this Constitution. (Sec. 45)
Marriage and Family Life
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    (3) For the purpose of promoting national integration, it shall be the duty of the State to:

    (c) encourage inter-marriage among persons from different places of origin, or of different religious, ethnic or linguistic association or ties;
    … (Sec. 15)
Marriage and Family Life
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    (3) The State shall direct its policy towards ensuring that –

    (h) the evolution and promotion of family life is encouraged. (Sec. 17)
Marriage and Family Life
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    (1) An appeal shall lie from decisions of the Federal High Court or a High Court to the Court of Appeal as of right in the following cases –

    (f) decisions made or given by the Federal High Court or a High Court –

    (iv) in the case of a decree nisi in a matrimonial cause or a decision in an admiralty action determining liability,

    (2) Nothing in this section shall confer any of appeal –

    (b) from an order absolute for the dissolution or nullity of marriage in favour of any party who, having had time and opportunity to appeal from the decree nisi on which the order was founded, has not appealed from that decree nisi;
    … (Sec. 241)
Marriage and Family Life
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    (1) The Sharia Court of Appeal shall, in addition to such other jurisdiction as may be conferred upon it by an Act of the National Assembly, exercise such appellate and supervisory jurisdiction in civil proceedings involving questions of Islamic personal law.
    (2) For the purpose of subsection (1) of this section, the Sharia Court of Appeal shall be competent to decide –
    (a) any question of Islamic personal law regarding a marriage concluded in accordance with that law, including a question relating to the validity or dissolution of such a marriage or a question that depends on such a marriage and relating to family relationship or the guardianship of an infant;
    (b) where all the parties to the proceeding are Muslims, any question of Islamic personal law regarding a marriage, including the validity or dissolution of that marriage, or regarding family relationship, a foundling or the guardianship of an infant;
    (c) any question of Islamic personal law regarding a wakf, gift, will or succession where the endower, donor, testator or deceased person is a Muslim;
    (d) any question of Islamic personal law regarding an infant, prodigal or person of unsound mind who is a Muslim or the maintenance or the guardianship of a Muslim who is physically or mentally infirm; or
    (e) where all the parties to the proceedings, being Muslims, have requested the court that hears the case in the first instance to determine that case in accordance with Islamic personal law, any other question. (Sec. 262)
Marriage and Family Life
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    (1) The Sharia Court of Appeal of a State shall, in addition to such other jurisdiction as may be conferred upon it by the law of the State, exercise such appellate and supervisory jurisdiction in civil proceedings involving questions of Islamic personal Law which the court is competent to decide in accordance with the provisions of subsection (2) of this section.
    (2) For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section, the sharia Court of Appeal shall be competent to decide –
    (a) any question of Islamic personal Law regarding a marriage concluded in accordance with that Law, including a question relating to the validity or dissolution of such a marriage or a question that depends on such a marriage and relating to family relationship or the guardianship of an infant;
    (b) where all the parties to the proceedings are muslims, any question of Islamic personal Law regarding a marriage, including the validity or dissolution of that marriage, or regarding family relationship, a founding or the guarding of an infant;
    (c) any question of Islamic personal Law regarding a wakf, gift, will or succession where the endower, donor, testator or deceased person is a muslim;
    (d) any question of Islamic personal Law regarding an infant, prodigal or person of unsound mind who is a muslim or the maintenance or the guardianship of a muslim who is physically or mentally infirm; or
    (e) where all the parties to the proceedings, being muslims, have requested the court that hears the case in the first instance to determine that case in accordance with Islamic personal law, any other question. (Sec. 277)
Marriage and Family Life
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    61. The formation, annulment and dissolution of marriages other than marriages under Islamic law and Customary law including matrimonial causes relating thereto.
    … (Second Schedule – Legislative Powers, Part I – Exclusive Legislative List)
Marriage and Family Life
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    1. The main functions of a local government council are as follows:

    (i) registration of all births, deaths and marriages;
    … (Fourth Schedule – Functions of a Local Government Council)
Participation in Public Life and Institutions
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    (1) A citizen of Nigeria of a particular community, ethnic group, place of origin, sex, religion or political opinion shall not, by reason only that he is such a person: –
    (a) be subjected either expressly by, or in the practical application of, any law in force in Nigeria or any executive or administrative action of the government, to disabilities or restrictions to which citizens of Nigeria of other communities, ethnic groups, places of origin, sex, religions or political opinions are not made subject; or
    (b) be accorded either expressly by, or in the practical application of, any law in force in Nigeria or any such executive or administrative action, any privilege or advantage that is not accorded to citizens of Nigeria of other communities, ethnic groups, places of origin, sex, religions or political opinions.

    (3) Nothing in subsection (1) of this section shall invalidate any law by reason only that the law imposes restrictions with respect to the appointment of any person to any office under the State or as a member of the armed forces of the Federation or member of the Nigeria Police Forces or to an office in the service of a body, corporate established directly by any law in force in Nigeria. (Sec. 42)
Political Rights and Association
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    (4) The Government of a State shall ensure that every person who is entitled to vote or be voted for at an election to House of Assembly shall have the right to vote or be voted for at an election to a local government council.
    … (Sec. 7)
Political Rights and Association
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    Every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons, and in particular he may form or belong to any political party, trade union or any other association for the protection of his interests:
    Provided that the provisions of this section shall not derogate from the powers conferred by this Constitution on the Independent National Electoral Commission with respect to political parties to which that Commission does not accord recognition. (Sec. 40)
Political Rights and Association
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    ...
    (2) Every citizen of Nigeria, who has attained the age of eighteen years residing in Nigeria at the time of the registration of voters for purposes of election to a legislative house, shall be entitled to be registered as a voter for that election. (Sec. 77)
Political Parties
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    No association by whatever name called shall function as a party, unless –

    (b) the membership of the association is open to every citizen of Nigeria irrespective of his place of origin, circumstance of birth, sex, religion or ethnic grouping;

    (e) the name of the association, its symbol or logo does not contain any ethnic or religious connotation or give the appearance that the activities of the association are confined to a part only of the geographical area of Nigeria;
    … (Sec. 222)
Political Parties
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    The National Assembly may by law provide –
    (a) guidelines and rules to ensure internal democracy within political parties, including making laws for the conduct of party primaries, party congresses and party conventions; and
    (b) the conferment on the Independent National Electoral Commission of powers as may appear to the National Assembly to be necessary or desirable for the purpose of enabling the Commission more effectively to ensure that political parties observe the practices of internal democracy, including the fair and transparent conduct of party primaries, party congresses and party conventions;
    (c) for an annual grant to the Independent National Electoral Commission for disbursement to political parties on a fair and equitable basis to assist them in the discharge of their functions;
    … (Sec. 228)
Electoral Bodies
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    The registration of voters and the conduct of elections shall be subject to the direction and supervision of Independent National Electoral Commission. (Sec. 78)
Electoral Bodies
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    (1) There shall be established for each State of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, one or more election tribunals to be known as the National and State Houses of Assembly Election Tribunals which shall, to the exclusion of any Court or Tribunal, have original jurisdiction to hear and determine petitions as to whether
    (a) any person has been validly elected as a member of the National Assembly; or
    (b) any person has been validly elected as member of the House of Assembly of a State.
    ... (Sec. 285)

Electoral Bodies
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    The Commission shall have power to –
    (a) organise, undertake and supervise all elections to the offices of the President and Vice-President, the Governor and Deputy Governor of a State, and to the membership of the Senate, the House of Representatives and the House of Assembly of each State of the Federation;
    (b) register political parties in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution and an Act of the National Assembly;
    (c) monitor the organisation and operation of the political parties, including their finances, conventions, congresses and party primaries;
    (d) arrange for the annual examination and auditing of the funds and accounts of political parties, and publish a report on such examination and audit for public information;
    (e) arrange and conduct the registration of persons qualified to vote and prepare, maintain and revise the register of voters for the purpose of any election under this Constitution;
    (f) monitor political campaigns and provide rules and regulations which shall govern the political parties;
    (g) ensure that all Electoral Commissioners, Electoral and Returning Officers take and subscribe the Oath of Office prescribed by law;
    (h) delegate any of its powers to any Resident Electoral Commissioner; and
    (i) carry out such other functions as may be conferred upon it by an Act of the National Assembly. (Third Schedule, Sec. 15)

Head of State
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    (1) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the executive powers of the Federation:
    (a) shall be vested in the President and may, subject as aforesaid and to the provisions of any law made by the National Assembly, be exercised by him either directly or through the Vice-President and Ministers of the Government of the Federation or officers in the public service of the Federation;
    … (Sec. 5)
Head of State
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    (1) There shall be for the Federation a President.
    (2) The President shall be the Head of State, the Chief Executive of the Federation and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation. (Sec. 130)
Head of State
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    A person shall be qualified for election to the office of the President if –
    (a) he is a citizen of Nigeria by birth;
    (b) he has attained the age of thirty-five years;
    (c) he is a member of a political party and is sponsored by that political party; and
    (d) he has been educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent. (Sec. 131)

Vice-President
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    (1) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the executive powers of the Federation:
    (a) shall be vested in the President and may, subject as aforesaid and to the provisions of any law made by the National Assembly, be exercised by him either directly or through the Vice-President and Ministers of the Government of the Federation or officers in the public service of the Federation;
    … (Sec. 5)
Vice-President
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    A person shall be qualified for election to the office of the President if –
    (a) he is a citizen of Nigeria by birth;
    (b) he has attained the age of thirty-five years;
    (c) he is a member of a political party and is sponsored by that political party; and
    (d) he has been educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent. (Sec. 131)

Vice-President
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    There shall be for the Federation a Vice-President. (Sec. 141)
Vice-President
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    (1) In any election to which the foregoing provisions of this Part of this Chapter8 relate, a candidate for an election to the office of President shall not be deemed to be validly nominated unless he nominates another candidate as his associate from the same political party for his running for the office of President, who is to occupy the office of Vice-President and that candidate shall be deemed to have been duly elected to the office of Vice-President if the candidate for an election to the office of President who nominated him as such associate is duly elected as President in accordance with the provisions aforesaid.
    (2) The provisions of this Part of this Chapter relating to qualification for election, tenure of office, disqualification, declaration of assets and liabilities and oaths of President shall apply in relation to the office of Vice-President as if references to President were references to Vice-President. (Sec. 142)

Government
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    (1) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the executive powers of the Federation:
    (a) shall be vested in the President and may, subject as aforesaid and to the provisions of any law made by the National Assembly, be exercised by him either directly or through the Vice-President and Ministers of the Government of the Federation or officers in the public service of the Federation;
    … (Sec. 5)
Government
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    (3) The composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few States or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that Government or in any of its agencies.
    … (Sec. 14)
Government
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    (1) There shall be such offices of Ministers of the Government of the Federation as may be established by the President.
    (2) Any appointment to the office of Minister of the Government of the Federation shall, if the nomination of any person to such office is confirmed by the Senate, be made by the President.
    Provided that no Ministerial nominee shall be confirmed by the Senate unless evidence of declaration of assets and liabilities of the nominee as prescribed in this Constitution is presented.
    (3) Any appointment under subsection (2) of this section by the President shall be in conformity with the provisions of section 14(3) of this Constitution:
    Provided that in giving effect to the provisions aforesaid the President shall appoint at least one Minister from each State, who shall be an indigene of such State.
    (4) Where a member of the National Assembly or of a House of Assembly is appointed as Minister of the Government of the Federation, he shall be deemed to have resigned his membership of the National Assembly or of the House of Assembly on his taking the oath of office as Minister.
    (5) No person shall be appointed as a Minister of the Government of the Federation unless he is qualified for election as a member of the House of Representatives.
    … (Sec. 147)

Legislature
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    (1) The legislative powers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be vested in a National Assembly for the Federation, which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives.
    (2) The National Assembly shall have power to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the Federation or any part thereof with respect to any matter included in the Exclusive Legislative List set out in Part I of the Second Schedule to this Constitution.
    … (Sec. 4)
Legislature
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    There shall be a National Assembly for the Federation which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives. (Sec. 47)
Legislature
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    (1) Subject to the provisions of section 66 of this Constitution, a person shall be qualified for election as a member of:
    (a) the Senate, if he is a citizen of Nigeria and has attained the age of 35 years; and
    (b) the House of Representatives, if he is a citizen of Nigeria and has attained the age of 25 years;
    (2) A person shall be qualified for election under subsection (1) of this section if:
    (a) he has been educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent; and
    (b) he is a member of a political party and is sponsored by that party. (Sec. 65)

Legislature
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    (1) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, every Senatorial district or Federal constituency established in accordance with the provisions of this Part of this Chapter9 shall return a member who shall be directly elected to the Senate or the House of Representatives in such manner as may be prescribed by an act of the National Assembly.
    … (Sec. 77)

Property, Inheritance and Land Tenure
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    Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, every citizen of Nigeria shall have the right to acquire and own immovable property anywhere in Nigeria. (Sec. 43)
Property, Inheritance and Land Tenure
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    (1) The Sharia Court of Appeal shall, in addition to such other jurisdiction as may be conferred upon it by an Act of the National Assembly, exercise such appellate and supervisory jurisdiction in civil proceedings involving questions of Islamic personal law.
    (2) For the purpose of subsection (1) of this section, the Sharia Court of Appeal shall be competent to decide –

    (c) any question of Islamic personal law regarding a wakf, gift, will or succession where the endower, donor, testator or deceased person is a Muslim;
    … (Sec. 262)
Property, Inheritance and Land Tenure
  • English
    (1) The Sharia Court of Appeal of a State shall, in addition to such other jurisdiction as may be conferred upon it by the law of the State, exercise such appellate and supervisory jurisdiction in civil proceedings involving questions of Islamic personal Law which the court is competent to decide in accordance with the provisions of subsection (2) of this section.
    (2) For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section, the sharia Court of Appeal shall be competent to decide –

    (c) any question of Islamic personal Law regarding a wakf, gift, will or succession where the endower, donor, testator or deceased person is a muslim;
    … (Sec. 277)
Protection from Violence
  • English

    (3) The State shall direct its policy towards ensuring that –

    (f) children, young persons and the aged are protected against any exploitation whatsoever, and against moral and material neglect;
    … (Sec. 17)
Protection from Violence
  • English
    (1) Every individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person, and accordingly –
    (a) no person shall be subject to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment;
    (b) no person shall he held in slavery or servitude; and
    (c) no person shall be required to perform forced or compulsory labour.
    … (Sec. 34)
Protection from Violence
  • English
    (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 251, 257, 272 and anything contained in this Constitution and in addition to such other jurisdiction as may be conferred upon it by an Act of the National Assembly, the National Industrial Court shall have and exercise jurisdiction to the exclusion of any other court in civil causes and matters –
    ...
    (i) connected with or related to child labour, child abuse, human trafficking or any matter connected therewith or related thereto;
    ... (Sec. 254C)
Public Institutions and Services
  • English

    (1) The State shall, within the context of the ideals and objectives for which provisions are made in this Constitution –

    (b) control the national economy in such manner as to secure the maximum welfare, freedom and happiness of every citizen on the basis of social justice and equality of status and opportunity;
    ...
    (2) The State shall direct its policy towards ensuring:
    ...
    (b) that the material resources of the nation are harnessed and distributed as best as possible to serve the common good;
    (c) that the economic system is not operated in such a manner as to permit the concentration of wealth or the means of production and exchange in the hands of few individuals or of a group; and
    (d) that suitable and adequate shelter, right to food and food security, reasonable national minimum living wage, old age care and pensions, and unemployment, sick benefits and welfare of the disabled are provided for all citizens.
    … (Sec. 16)

Status of the Constitution
  • English
    (1) This Constitution is supreme and its provisions shall have binding force on the authorities and persons throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
    (2) The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall not be governed, nor shall any persons or group of persons take control of the Government of Nigeria or any part thereof, except in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.
    (3) If any other law is inconsistent with the provisions of this Constitution, this Constitution shall prevail, and that other law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void. (Sec. 1)
Status of the Constitution
  • English
    It shall be the duty of every citizen to –
    (a) abide by this Constitution, respect its ideals and its institutions, … (Sec. 24)
Status of International Law
  • English
    (1) No treaty between the Federation and any other country shall have the force of law except to the extent to which any such treaty has been enacted into law by the National Assembly.
    … (Sec. 12)
Religious Law
  • English
    The Government of the Federation or of a State shall not adopt any religion as State Religion. (Sec. 10)
Religious Law
  • English
    (1) There shall be a Court of Appeal.
    (2) The Court of Appeal shall consist of –
    (a) a President of the Court of Appeal; and
    (b) such number of Justices of the Court of Appeal, not less than forty-nine of which not less than three shall be learned in Islamic personal law, and not less than three shall be learned in Customary law, as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly. (Sec. 237)
Religious Law
  • English
    (1) An appeal shall lie from decisions of a Sharia Court of Appeal to the Court of Appeal as of right in any civil proceedings before the Sharia Court of Appeal with respect to any question of Islamic personal law which the Sharia Court of Appeal is competent to decide.
    (2) Any right of appeal to the Court of Appeal from the decisions of a Sharia Court of Appeal conferred by this section shall be –
    (a) exercisable at the instance of a party thereto or, with the leave of the Sharia Court of Appeal or of the Court of Appeal, at the instance of any other person having an interest in the matter; and
    (b) exercised in accordance with an Act of the National Assembly and rules of court for the time being in force regulating the powers, practice and procedure of the Court of Appeal. (Sec. 244)
Religious Law
  • English
    (1) For the purpose of exercising any jurisdiction conferred upon it by this Constitution or any other law, the Court of Appeal shall be duly constituted if it consists of not less than three Justices of the Court of Appeal and in the case of appeals from –
    (a) a Sharia Court of Appeal if it consists of not less than three Justices of the Court of Appeal learned in Islamic personal law;
    … (Sec. 247)
Religious Law
  • English
    (1) The Sharia Court of Appeal shall, in addition to such other jurisdiction as may be conferred upon it by an Act of the National Assembly, exercise such appellate and supervisory jurisdiction in civil proceedings involving questions of Islamic personal law.
    (2) For the purpose of subsection (1) of this section, the Sharia Court of Appeal shall be competent to decide –
    (a) any question of Islamic personal law regarding a marriage concluded in accordance with that law, including a question relating to the validity or dissolution of such a marriage or a question that depends on such a marriage and relating to family relationship or the guardianship of an infant;
    (b) where all the parties to the proceeding are Muslims, any question of Islamic personal law regarding a marriage, including the validity or dissolution of that marriage, or regarding family relationship, a foundling or the guardianship of an infant;
    (c) any question of Islamic personal law regarding a wakf, gift, will or succession where the endower, donor, testator or deceased person is a Muslim;
    (d) any question of Islamic personal law regarding an infant, prodigal or person of unsound mind who is a Muslim or the maintenance or the guardianship of a Muslim who is physically or mentally infirm; or
    (e) where all the parties to the proceedings, being Muslims, have requested the court that hears the case in the first instance to determine that case in accordance with Islamic personal law, any other question. (Sec. 262)
Religious Law
  • English
    (1) The Sharia Court of Appeal of a State shall, in addition to such other jurisdiction as may be conferred upon it by the law of the State, exercise such appellate and supervisory jurisdiction in civil proceedings involving questions of Islamic personal Law which the court is competent to decide in accordance with the provisions of subsection (2) of this section.
    (2) For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section, the sharia Court of Appeal shall be competent to decide –
    (a) any question of Islamic personal Law regarding a marriage concluded in accordance with that Law, including a question relating to the validity or dissolution of such a marriage or a question that depends on such a marriage and relating to family relationship or the guardianship of an infant;
    (b) where all the parties to the proceedings are muslims, any question of Islamic personal Law regarding a marriage, including the validity or dissolution of that marriage, or regarding family relationship, a founding or the guarding of an infant;
    (c) any question of Islamic personal Law regarding a wakf, gift, will or succession where the endower, donor, testator or deceased person is a muslim;
    (d) any question of Islamic personal Law regarding an infant, prodigal or person of unsound mind who is a muslim or the maintenance or the guardianship of a muslim who is physically or mentally infirm; or
    (e) where all the parties to the proceedings, being muslims, have requested the court that hears the case in the first instance to determine that case in accordance with Islamic personal law, any other question. (Sec. 277)
Religious Law
  • English

    (1) In exercising his powers under the foregoing provisions of this Chapter10 in respect of appointments to the offices of Justices of the Supreme court and Justices of the Court of Appeal, the President shall have regard to the need to ensure that there are among the holders of such offices persons learned in Islamic personal law and persons learned in Customary law.
    (2) For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section –
    (a) a person shall be deemed to be learned in Islamic personal law if he is a legal practitioner in Nigeria and has been so qualified for a period of not less than fifteen years in the case of a Justice of the Supreme Court or not less than twelve years in the case of a Justice of the Court of Appeal and has in either case obtained a recognized qualification in Islamic law from an institution acceptable to the National Judicial Council; and
    … (Sec. 288)

Religious Law
  • English

    61. The formation, annulment and dissolution of marriages other than marriages under Islamic law and Customary law including matrimonial causes relating thereto.
    … (Second Schedule – Legislative Powers, Part I – Exclusive Legislative List)
Customary Law
  • English
    (1) There shall be a Court of Appeal.
    (2) The Court of Appeal shall consist of –
    (a) a President of the Court of Appeal; and
    (b) such number of Justices of the Court of Appeal, not less than forty-nine of which not less than three shall be learned in Islamic personal law, and not less than three shall be learned in Customary law, as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly. (Sec. 237)
Customary Law
  • English
    (1) An appeal shall lie from decisions of a customary Court of Appeal to the Court of Appeal as of right in any civil proceedings before the customary Court of Appeal with respect to any question of Customary law and such other matters as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly.
    (2) Any right of appeal to the Court of Appeal from the decisions of a Customary Court of Appeal conferred by this section shall be –
    (a) exercisable at the instance of a party thereto or, with the leave of the Customary Court of Appeal or of the Court of Appeal, at the instance of any other person having an interest in the matter;
    (b) exercised in accordance with any Act of the National Assembly and rules of court for the time being in force regulating the powers, practice and procedure of the Court of Appeal. (Sec. 245)
Customary Law
  • English
    (1) For the purpose of exercising any jurisdiction conferred upon it by this Constitution or any other law, the Court of Appeal shall be duly constituted if it consists of not less than three Justices of the Court of Appeal and in the case of appeals from –

    (b) a Customary Court of Appeal, if it consists of not less than three Justices of Court of Appeal learned in Customary law. (Sec. 247)
Customary Law
  • English
    The Customary Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja shall, in addition to such other jurisdiction as may be conferred upon by an Act of The National Assembly Exercise such appellate and supervisory jurisdiction in civil proceedings involving questions of Customary law. (Sec. 267)
Customary Law
  • English
    (1) A Customary Court of Appeal of a State shall exercise appellate and supervisory jurisdiction in civil proceedings involve questions of Customary law.
    (2) For the purpose of this section, a Customary Court of Appeal of a State shall exercise such jurisdiction and decide such questions as may be prescribed by the House of Assembly of the State for which it is established. (Sec. 282)
Customary Law
  • English

    (1) In exercising his powers under the foregoing provisions of this Chapter11 in respect of appointments to the offices of Justices of the Supreme court and Justices of the Court of Appeal, the President shall have regard to the need to ensure that there are among the holders of such offices persons learned in Islamic personal law and persons learned in Customary law.
    (2) For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section –
    ...
    (b) a person shall be deemed to be learned in Customary law if he is a legal practitioner in Nigeria and has been so qualified for a period of not less than fifteen years in the case of a Justice of the Supreme Court or not less than twelve years in the case of a Justice of the Court of Appeal and has in either case and in the opinion of the National Judicial Council considerable knowledge of and experience in the practice of Customary law. (Sec. 288)

Customary Law
  • English

    61. The formation, annulment and dissolution of marriages other than marriages under Islamic law and Customary law including matrimonial causes relating thereto.
    … (Second Schedule – Legislative Powers, Part I – Exclusive Legislative List)
1

Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended to 2023 (English), available in HeinOnline World Constitutions Illustrated Library (2024).

Document last visited 9 January 2024
2
Chapter III on Citizenship.
3
Chapter III on Citizenship.
4
Chapter IV on Fundamental Rights.
5
Chapter IV on Fundamental Rights.
6
Chapter IV on Fundamental Rights.
7
Chapter IV on Fundamental Rights.
8

Part I on Federal Executive, Chapter VI on The Executive.

9

Part I on National Assembly, Chapter V on The Legislature.

10

Chapter VII on the Judicature.

11

Chapter VII on the Judicature.