write an essay on the responsibilities of government in nigeria

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In This Article Expand or collapse the "in this article" section Nigerian Politics and Government

Introduction, general overview.

• Independence and Post-independence Politics
• Presidentialism and Politics in the Second Republic (1979–1983)
• Failed Democratic Transition and Politics of the Third Republic
• The Fourth Republic (1999–)
• Military Rule in Nigerian Politics
• Politics of Federalism
• Political Economy of Oil
• Ethnic Politics
• Religion and Politics
• Insurgency and Separatist Violence

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• Comparative Politics of Africa
• Comparative Politics of Federalism
• Democratization in Africa
• Electoral and Party System Development in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Governance in Africa
• Politics of West Africa
• Presidential Candidate Selection in Comparative Perspective

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• Cross-National Surveys of Public Opinion
• Politics of School Reform
• Ratification of the Constitution
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Nigerian Politics and Government by Hakeem Onapajo LAST REVIEWED: 23 June 2023 LAST MODIFIED: 23 June 2023 DOI: 10.1093/obo/9780199756223-0361

Nigeria’s status as the “Giant of Africa” is not only an expression suggesting it has the largest population size in the region, but also implies the immense influence the Nigerian state has on African politics and society. It is arguable that a proper understanding of politics and government in Nigeria should provide a good understanding of African politics. Nigeria is a product of British colonialism and gained its independence in 1960. Being a plural society with multiple ethnic groups, the Nigerian political system is built on a three-tier federal system (federal, state, and local governments). Modeled after the American model of democracy, Nigeria operates a presidential system that produces a president exercising enormous executive power at the federal level and a governor as head of the executive in the thirty-six (subnational) states in the federation. The legislative system is bicameral at the federal level and unicameral at the state level. With an estimated 300 ethnic groups, Nigeria is often considered the most diverse society in Africa. Despite the multiple ethnic groupings, three major ethnic groups dominate the political space given their population and linguistic spread over other groups. The majority groups are the Hausa-Fulani (northern region), Yoruba (western region) and the Igbo (eastern region). Besides these majority groups, there are hundreds of minority groups spread across the different regions of the country. In addition to ethnicity, religion represents another significant component of Nigerian society and has a major influence on politics. Nigerians mostly identify with Christianity or Islam, while a few associate with the African Traditional Religion. In geographical spread, there are more Muslims in the northern region and more Christians in the southern region. Over the years, ethnicity and religion have been a major factor in Nigerian politics, determining access to power and distribution of values. These factors have become a major driver of politics and therefore feature prominently in any discourse about politics and government in Nigeria. Politics in Nigeria since independence has oscillated between civilian democracy and military rule. Democracy failed at three different periods before the present democratic regime, which began in 1999. The military interventions and abrupt end to democratic rules give room for the periodization of the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Republics that is often employed as a framework of analysis in the study of Nigerian politics and government.

Scholarship on Nigerian politics and government is abundantly available. The topic has been one of the most studied in African politics. Major works that have become more influential on politics and government in Nigeria belong to different generations based on political phenomena at politico-historical phases of the state. The first generation of work, which can be referred to as classical studies of Nigerian political science, are books that offer compelling analysis of politics in the pre-independence and early post-independence eras. These include Sklar 1963 , which is the foundational and most referenced work on political parties and electoral politics in Nigeria. Post 1963 examines the politics of the 1959 federal elections that preceded Nigeria’s independence in 1960. Awa 1964 provides a useful analysis of the institutional framework for the government that emerged after independence. Dudley 1968 is a study of political parties in northern Nigeria. Another major contribution by the same author, Dudley 1973 provides a rich account of the politics that led to the collapse of the First Republic (1960–1966) in Nigeria’s political history. The second generation of works emerged in the 1970s and 1980s and focused more on the politics of military rule, after the first military coup of 1966, and the politics of the second attempt at democratic rule, otherwise known as the Second Republic (1979–1983). Some of the most visible among them include Adamolekun 1985 , Falola and Ihonvbere 1985 and Joseph 1987 . The period that followed saw the consolidation of power by military regimes and controversial democratic transition periods. The politics of this era, particularly from 1983 to 1993, was sufficiently studied in the third-generation studies, including the edited volume Diamond, et al. 1997 and Osaghae 1998 . Nigeria’s politics and government under the recent transition to democracy in 1999 are examined in the fourth generation of works on Nigerian political studies, including Said Adejumobi 2010 and Agbu 2016 .

Adamolekun, Ladipo. The Fall of the Second Republic . Ibadan, Nigeria: Spectrum Books, 1985.

The contribution of Adamolekun remains one of the most visible in the second generation of Nigerian political studies. It gives useful analysis of the factors that accounted for the collapse of democracy after the military coup of 1983.

Adejumobi, Said, ed. Governance and Politics in Post-military Nigeria: Changes and Challenges . New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2010.

Adejumobi’s edited book is a typical example of the current generation of Nigerian political studies that captures politics and government after the transition to democracy in 1999.

Agbu, Osita, ed. Elections and Governance in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic . Dakar, Senegal: CODESRIA, 2016.

Agbu’s edited volume approaches the present Nigerian democratic journey from the lens of elections since 1999.

Awa, Eme. Federal Government in Nigeria . Berkeley: University of California Press, 1964.

DOI: 10.1525/9780520339064

The book is a major foundational study to understand the structure of Nigerian federalism.

Diamond, Larry, Anthony Kirk-Greene, Oyeleye Oyediran. Transition without End: Nigerian Politics and Civil Society under Babangida . Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner, 1997.

DOI: 10.1515/9781685856199

An edited volume that provides different perspectives of the politics of military rule, with emphasis on the Babangida-led regime.

Dudley, Billy. Parties and Politics in Northern Nigeria . London: Frank Cass, 1968.

The most detailed study on politics and the party system in northern Nigeria in the post-independence era.

Dudley, Billy. Instability and Political Order: Politics and Crisis in Nigeria . Ibadan, Nigeria: Ibadan University Press, 1973.

The book is a well-referenced study on the politics of the First Republic, as it provides a profound analysis of the factors responsible for the fall of the civilian regime in 1966.

Falola, Toyin, and Julius Ihonvbere. The Rise and Fall of Nigeria’s Second Republic, 1979–84 . London: Zed Books, 1985.

This book provides a comprehensive analysis of the politics, government, and economy in the Second Republic.

Joseph, Richard. Democracy and Prebendal Politics in Nigeria: The Rise and Fall of the Second Republic . Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 1987.

Perhaps the best account of the politics of neo-patrimonialism in the Second Republic. The author’s arguments are used as a framework to understand contemporary politics in Nigeria. Subsequent books have been published to advance the author’s perspective.

Osaghae, Eghosa E. Crippled Giant: Nigeria since Independence . Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1998.

Belonging to the third generation, the book offers a highly comprehensive account of Nigerian government and politics since independence.

Post, Kenneth W. J. The Nigerian Federal Election of 1959 . Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1963.

The book provides a comprehensive account of the federal election that ushered in Nigeria’s independence in 1960. It belongs to the classical works that introduce Nigerian political system to the international audience.

Sklar, Richard. Nigerian Political Parties: Power in an Emergent African Nation . Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1963.

Being one of the pioneer studies in Nigerian political studies, the book is one of the most cited contributions produced by the first set of political scientists, mostly foreign scholars, in Nigeria.

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An introduction to Nigerian government and politics

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• Chapter one. Pre-colonial political systems in Nigeria
• Chapter two. Colonial administration in Nigeria
• Chapter three. The birth of Nigeria
• Chapter four. Constitutional developments in Nigeria
• Chapter five. The development of political parties in Nigeria
• Chapter six. Nationalism in Nigeria
• Chapter seven. The Nigerian Civil War
• Chapter eight. Major political crisis in Nigeria
• Chapter nine. Military rule in Nigeria
• Chapter ten. National question
• Chapter eleven. Federalism in Nigeria
• Chapter twelve. Electoral history of Nigeria
• Chapter thirteen. History of election crisis in Nigeria

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Local Government System in Nigeria

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• pp 7815–7820
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• Omomayowa O. Abati 2 &
• Oluwaseun Kugbayi 3  

Decentralization; Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs); Local development; Local governance

Local government is the government at the grass roots with a given population and constitutional power to elect officials for the administrative and regulatory functions in the local area.

Introduction

Local government system in Nigeria has its antecedence in the pre-colonial era when each of the separate communities that make up today’s Nigeria was administered in what has been variedly described by scholars as provincial, kingship, empires systems, etc. (Kirk-Greene 1965 ; Fadipe 1970 ; Afigbo 1972 ; Atanda 1973 ). However, some discussions take the colonial period as the inception. These pre-colonial systems of local governance were very simple but with variation from place to place. An attempt to account for this variation by Adewunmi and Egwurube ( 1985 ) led to four role categorizations which are executive/participatory, nonexecutive/participatory,...

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Adewunmi JB, Egwurube J (1985) Role of traditional rulers in historical perspectives. In: Aborisade O (ed) Local government and the traditional rulers in Nigeria. University of Ife Press, Ile-Ife

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Afigbo AE (1972) The warrant chiefs. Longman, London

Atanda JA (1973) The new Oyo empire. Longman, London

Bello-Imam IB (1996) Local government in Nigeria: evolving a third tier of government. Heinemann Educational Books Nig. Plc. & French Institute for Research in Africa (IFRA), Ibadan

Daloz J-P (1989) The 1976 local government reform in Nigeria and the 1982 decentralisation reform in France: some comparative remarks. In: Aborisade O (ed) Nigerian local government reformed. Obafemi Awolowo University Press Limited, Ile-Ife

Fadipe NA (1970) The sociology of the Yoruba. Ibadan University Press, Ibadan

Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) The 1999 constitution. Federal Government Press, Lagos

Kirk-Greene AHM (1965) The principle of native administration in Nigeria: selected documents 1900–1947. Oxford University Press, London

Uchendu V (1965) The Igbo of South East Nigeria. Holt, Rinehart & Winston, New York

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Department of Political Science, Kings University, Odeomu, Nigeria

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Department of Public Administration, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

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Abati, O.O., Kugbayi, O. (2022). Local Government System in Nigeria. In: Farazmand, A. (eds) Global Encyclopedia of Public Administration, Public Policy, and Governance. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-66252-3_3942

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Nigeria must wake up to the changing role of state governments

Senior Lecturer in Law, De Montfort University

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Ohio Omiunu does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

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There have been sustained efforts to diversify Nigeria’s economy since the country returned to democratic civilian rule in 1999. Successive governments have made foreign direct investment a priority to achieve this aim.

Originally, the organised private sector was intended as the primary driver of investment-led economic reforms. But, in the process, the policy space was inadvertently opened up for state governments. Nigeria has three constitutionally recognised levels of government . These are the federal government, 36 state governments and 774 local governments. Each level of government has defined powers under the constitution. States are not meant to engage in foreign economic relations.

However, successive economic reforms have given impetus to Nigerian states to grow in stature as gatekeepers to foreign direct investment. It’s now common to hear of states introducing specialised agencies to facilitate and coordinate investment inflows. Examples include the Kaduna State Investment Promotion Agency , the Lagos Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment and the Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency .

Some states have also floated development focused corporate entities in which they have controlling stakes. A recent example is the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria Commission . This was set up by the six state governments in Nigeria’s South-West. They are pursuing a regional economic integration strategy.

All these initiatives invariably lead to foreign entities including diplomatic envoys, multinational companies and international organisations getting directly involved at state level.

The emerging practice is an interesting example of bottom-up economic development. However, the current state of affairs isn’t optimal. This is because having states all pursuing separate deals and arrangements makes central coordination problematic. If coordination is weak, there’s the potential for unnecessary duplication of processes and institutions. This in turn would have a knock-on effect on the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

There are also constitutional questions over the legality of agreements which Nigeria’s state governments have signed with foreign entities. If left unchecked, these could expose the Nigerian state to legal claims by foreign investors. And there’s a question mark over the constitutional status of states opening foreign offices, as Bayelsa state did in 2013. On the face of it, this was unconstitutional. States in Nigeria don’t have constitutional powers to operate quasi-diplomatic offices.

The trend of decentralised economic development has striking similarities with how things worked in the first Nigerian Republic , from 1960 to 1966. Regional governments in this era had constitutional authority to participate in Nigeria’s foreign economic engagements.

An example was the control of commodity boards by states (then regions). Surplus from levies imposed on export commodities was a vital source of funds for economic development in the respective regions.

Given this history it’s not surprising that states today are keen to take control of foreign investment inflows to fund their economic development objectives.

Why action is needed

No constitutional disputes have been raised between the federal government and the states. This can be taken as tacit acceptance of these emerging practices by states. Alternatively, the federal government prefers to deal with any fall-out on an ad hoc basis. This would make sense, given the benefits that can accrue from the arrangements.

But those responsible for Nigeria’s economic development policy coordination need to wake up to the changing realities of the times. Other federal systems have been proactive in restructuring the cooperation mechanisms for foreign relations. These include the US, Canada, Belgium, Argentina, Austria, and Germany.

These countries have recognised the need to adjust their existing regime to catch up with an emerging reality about sub-national governments – like states. These groupings are critical stakeholders in the 21st-century global economy.

In Nigeria, meanwhile, there’s little evidence that states going abroad is viewed as a matter of urgency. It’s time it was.

Time to review

The emergence of states as gatekeepers of Nigeria’s investment-led economic reforms demonstrates the dynamic nature of federalism. States have already carved out the autonomy they need to determine the pace of their economic development. And they have done so with no formal constitutional changes.

Now the federal government must realise that it’s no longer the sole determinant of Nigeria’s foreign economic policy. It would be both impossible and undesirable to try and reverse the trend.

Instead, there’s an urgent need to review existing arrangements for cooperation. These reviews must happen at the constitutional and institutional levels. The aim should be to maximise the benefits of the drive and impetus that states are bringing to the Nigerian economic reform agenda.

Nigeria stands to benefit immensely if states drive economic development. But effective coordination is critical.

• Federal Government
• Foreign direct investment
• Nigerian states

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Essay on Nigeria My Country

Students are often asked to write an essay on Nigeria My Country in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Nigeria My Country

Introduction to nigeria.

Nigeria is a country in West Africa. It is known for its rich culture and many languages. The land has forests, mountains, and rivers. Many people live in Nigeria, making it Africa’s most populated country.

Nigerian Culture

The culture in Nigeria is colorful. People enjoy music, dance, and art. They celebrate festivals with joy. Clothing is often bright and beautiful. Nigerian food is tasty and includes rice, soups, and spices.

Places in Nigeria

Nigeria has exciting places to see. There are big cities like Lagos and natural spots like the Zuma Rock. Visitors like to see the wildlife and markets too.

Nigeria faces some problems. Not all children can go to school, and keeping the environment clean is tough. Leaders are working to solve these issues.

Nigeria is a country with friendly people and a strong spirit. It is full of life and has a future full of promise. It is a place many call home with pride.

250 Words Essay on Nigeria My Country

Nigeria is a country in West Africa. It’s known for its colorful culture, rich history, and natural beauty. With over 200 million people, it’s the most populous country in Africa and the seventh in the world.

Land and Nature

The land in Nigeria is very diverse. There are sandy beaches, large rivers, and even forests. The country also has a lot of wildlife, including elephants and lions. Nigeria’s weather is mostly hot since it’s close to the equator, but it also has rainy and dry seasons.

Culture and People

Nigeria is home to many different groups of people. Each group has its own language, traditions, and festivals. Music and dance are very important in Nigerian culture. The country is famous for its Nollywood film industry, which is one of the largest in the world.

Nigeria has a lot of natural resources like oil and gas. These resources play a big role in its economy. Agriculture is also important; many people farm products like cocoa and peanuts.

Nigeria faces some challenges, such as making sure everyone has enough food and access to education. The country is working to solve these problems and make life better for its people.

Nigeria is a country with a lot of diversity and potential. Even though it has challenges, its rich culture and natural resources make it a unique and important part of the world.

500 Words Essay on Nigeria My Country

Nigeria is a country located in West Africa. It is known for its rich history, diverse cultures, and natural resources. With over 200 million people, Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and the seventh most populous in the world. The land is full of life and color, with many languages spoken and various traditions practiced.

Geography and Climate

The country has a varied landscape that includes beaches, mountains, forests, and deserts. The climate is tropical, with rainy and dry seasons that change depending on the area. The southern part of Nigeria is mostly wet and green, while the north can be hot and dry. This makes Nigeria home to a wide range of plants and animals, some of which are found nowhere else on Earth.

Nigeria’s culture is a tapestry of the many ethnic groups that live there. The country has over 250 ethnic groups, with the Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba being the largest. Each group has its own customs, language, and way of life. Music and dance are important in Nigerian culture, with traditional beats like Afrobeat and Highlife being popular. Nigerian movies, known as Nollywood, are famous across Africa and tell stories that reflect the lives of the people.

Nigerian food is as diverse as its people. Dishes are often made with rice, beans, and yams, and are seasoned with spices that make them flavorful. Some popular foods include jollof rice, a spicy dish made with tomatoes and rice, and suya, which is grilled meat with a tasty spice rub. These foods are not just tasty but also a way to bring people together, as meals are a time for family and friends to share stories and enjoy each other’s company.

Nigeria has a growing economy that is one of the largest in Africa. It is rich in resources like oil and natural gas, which are important for the country’s wealth. Agriculture is also a key part of the economy, with many people working in farming to grow crops like cocoa, peanuts, and palm oil. Nigeria’s markets are full of life, with people buying and selling goods every day.

Like any country, Nigeria faces challenges. Some areas have to deal with poverty and not having enough schools or hospitals. There are also times when different groups disagree, leading to conflict. Despite these issues, many Nigerians are working hard to make their country a better place, focusing on education, health, and peace.

Nigeria is a country with a heart full of rhythm and a spirit that shines. Its landscapes are breathtaking, its cultures are vibrant, and its people are strong and resilient. Even with the difficulties it faces, Nigeria continues to move forward, building a future that honors its rich past and looks ahead with hope. For many Nigerians, their homeland is more than just a place on the map—it is a part of who they are.

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The Role of Government in Improving Nigeria's Living Standards

Updated 13 November 2023

Subject Economy ,  Africa

Downloads 34

Category Government ,  Life ,  World

Topic Nigeria

In essence, 70 percent of the world's population is mostly living in underdeveloped or developing countries and consume just less than 20 percent of the global output due to lack of economic development and industrialization caused by low: capital investment, income, literacy levels, gross domestic product (GDP) and malnutrition and diseases. Developing countries are mostly in Africa, Asia, South and Central America including the Caribbean (Nigeria economy, 2017).

                                 Government's Living Standards' Actions

 The Federal Republic of Nigeria is a country in West Africa led by a republic government. Improving the living standards is among the government's priorities as it has launched the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) up to 2020 (Nigeria economy, 2017). This would develop transportation and infrastructure, increase the supply of power reliability, conducive business environment, improve the education system and enhance transparency and reduce corruption.

Financial analysts suggest that proper economic, financial management is essential for the fiscal, monetary policies and should aggressively focus on the monetary policy to improve a sustainable growth of the country's economic status. Hence, the Gross Domestic Products key drivers are to be prioritized for future investments and developments. (Nigeria economy, 2017).

According to the Commissioner of Economic Planning and Budget, the government has planned to drive the economy of Nigeria into private sector compared to civil service. It has also developed programs that give the consumers the purchasing power to improve the state of the economy. (The world bank, 2017). The government has stimulated local production of staples in Agriculture to improve food consumption and a source of income to its people. Hence, we see that the government has taken initiatives to improve the standard of living of its citizens.

Nigeria economy. (2017, January 27). Nigeria 2017 Outlook: Economists and Financial Analysts harp on pro-growth policies - 1. Retrieved from https://www.proshareng.com/news/Nigeria%20Economy/Nigeria-2017-Outlook--Economists-and-Fin/33588

The world bank. (2017, May 19). Nigeria Faces Prospects of Fragile Economic Recovery in 2017. Retrieved from http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2017/05/19/nigeria-faces-prospects-of-fragile-economic-recovery-in-2017

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