The 32 States of Nigeria (Nigeria Elections)
Nigeria consists of 36 states and one federal capital territory. According to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, each of the 36 states is a semi-autonomous political subdivision that shares powers with the federal government.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is Nigeria’s capital territory, and it is here that Abuja, the country’s capital, is located. The FCT is not a state, but it is governed by elected authorities who are subject to federal oversight.
Local government areas are organized into sub-divisions within each state (LGAs). In Nigeria, there are 774 local governments. The 36 states are co-equal but not paramount under the constitution because the federal government has sovereignty.
The National Assembly can change the constitution, but each alteration must be adopted by two-thirds of the federation’s 36 states.
Nigeria Elections: List of Governors of Lagos State
States
· Abia· Adamawa· Akwa Ibom· Anambra· Bauchi· Bayelsa· Benue· Borno· Cross River· Delta· Ebonyi· Edo |
· Ekiti· Enugu· Gombe· Imo· Jigawa· Kaduna· Kano· Katsina· Kebbi· Kogi· Kwara· Lagos |
· Nasarawa· Niger· Ogun· Ondo· Osun· Oyo· Plateau· Rivers· Sokoto· Taraba· Yobe· Zamfara |
Government
Nigerian states have the freedom to organize and build their governments in whatever way they see fit, as long as they stay within the bounds of the Nigerian Constitution.
Legislature
The legislature in each state is unicameral, with three times the number of legislators in the Federal House of Representatives. It has the authority to enact legislation on topics on the concurrent list in all the 32 Nigeria States.
Executive
The governor is the chief executive at the state level, and he has the authority to nominate members to the state executive council with the advice and approval of the state house of assembly (legislature).
The commissioner, who is also a senior civil officer of the state, is the head of a ministry at the state level. He is assisted by a permanent secretary, who is also a senior civil servant of the state.
Judiciary
The judiciary is one of the state government’s co-equal arms, and it is responsible for interpreting the state’s laws. The state’s judiciary is led by the chief justice, who is selected by the governor and must be approved by the state legislature.
