The Constitution of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1979
Arrangement of Sections
Chapter 1
General Provisions
Part I - Federal Republic of Nigeria
Section
1. Supremacy of the Constitution.
2. The Federal Republic of Nigeria.
3. States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
Part II - Powers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
4. Legislative powers.
5. Executive powers.
6. Judicial powers.
7. Local government system.
8. New States and boundary adjustment.
9. Mode of altering provisions of the Constitution.
10. Prohibition of State Religion.
11. Public order and public security.
12. Implementation of treaties.
Chapter II
Fundamental Objectives and
Directive Principles of State Policy.
13. Fundamental obligations of Government.
14. The Government and the people.
15. Political Objectives.
16. Economic objectives.
17. Social objectives.
18. Educational objectives
19. Foreign policy objectives.
20. Directive on Nigerian culture.
21. Obligations of the mass media.
22. National ethic.
Chapter III
Citizenship
23. Citizenship by birth
24. Citizenship by registration.
25. Citizenship by naturalisation.
26. Avoidance of dual citizenship.
27. Deprivation of citizenship.
28. Persons deemed to be Nigerian citizens.
29. Power to make regulations.
Chapter IV
Fundamental Rights
30. Right to life.
31. Right to dignity of human person.
32. Right to personal liberty.
33. Right to fair hearing.
34. Right to private and family life.
35. Right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
36. Right to freedom of expression and the press.
37. Right to peaceful assembly and association.
38. Right to freedom of movement.
39. Right to freedom from discrimination.
40. Compulsory acquisition of property.
41. Restriction on and derogation from fundamental rights.
42. Special jurisdiction of High Court, and legal aid.
Chapter V
Part 1 - National Assembly
A-Composition and Staff of National Assembly
43. Establishment of the National Assembly.
44. Composition of the Senate.
45. Composition of the house of Representatives.
46. President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives.
47. Staff of the National Assembly.
B-Procedure for Summoning and Dissolution of National Assembly
48. Oaths of members.
49. Presiding at sittings of the National Assembly and at joint sittings.
50. Quorum.
51. Languages.
52. Voting.
53. Unqualified persons sitting or voting: penalties.
54. Mode of exercising Federal legislative power: general.
55. Mode of exercising Federal legislative power: money bills.
56. Regulation of procedure.
57. Vacancy not to invalidate proceedings.
58. Committees.
59. Sittings.
60. Dissolution.
C-Qualifications for Membership of National Assembly and Right of Attendance
61. Qualifications for election.
62. Disqualifications.
63. Right of attendance of President.
64. Tenure of seats of members.
65. Senatorial! Districts and Federal constituencies.
66. Size of Senatorial districts and Federal constituencies.
67. Periodical review of Senatorial districts and Federal constituencies.
68. Time when alteration of Senatorial districts or Federal constituencies take effect.
69. Ascertainment of population.
70. Times of election to the National Assembly.
71. Direct election and franchise.
72. Supervision of election.
73. Power of the National Assembly as to determination of certain questions.
D-Powers and Control over Public Funds
74. Establishment of Consolidated Revenue Fund.
75. Authorisation of expenditure from Consolidated Revenue Fund.
76. Authorisation of expenditure in default of appropriations.
77. Contingencies Fund.
78. Remuneration of the President and certain other officers.
79. Audit of public accounts.
80. Appointment of Auditor-General.
81. Tenure of office of Auditor General.
82. Power to conduct investigations.
83. Power as to matters of evidence.
Part II - House of Assembly of a State
A-Composition and Staff of House of Assembly
84. Composition of House of Assembly for each State.
85. Composition of House of Assembly.
86. Speaker of House of Assembly.
87. Staff of House of Assembly.
88. Oaths of Members.
89. Presiding at sittings.
90. Quorum.
91. Languages.
92. Voting.
93. Unqualified persons sitting or voting: penalties.
94. Mode of exercising legislative power of a State.
95. Regulation of procedure.
96. Vacancy or participation of strangers not to invalidate proceedings.
97. Committees.
98. Sittings.
99. Dissolution.
C-Qualifications for Membership of House of Assembly and Right of Attendance
100. Qualifications for election.
101. Disqualifications.
102. Rights of attendance of Governor.
103. Tenure of seats of members.
D-Elections to a House of Assembly
104. State constituencies
105. Size of State constituencies.
106. Periodical review of State constituencies.
107. Time when alteration of State constituencies takes effect.
108. Time of election to House of Assembly.
109. Direct election and franchise.
110. Supervision of election.
111. Power of House of Assembly as to determination of certain questions.
E-Powers and Control over Public Funds
112. Establishment of Consolidated Revenue Fund.
113. Authorisation of expenditure from Consolidated Revenue Fund.
114. Authorisation of expenditure in default of appropriations.
115. Contingencies Fund.
116. Remuneration of the Governor and certain other officers.
117. Audit of public accounts.
118. Appointment of Director of Audit of a State.
119. Tenure of office of Director of Audit.
120. Power to conduct investigations.
121. Power as to matters of evidence.
Chapter VI
The Executive
Part I - Federal Executive
A-The President of the Federation
122. Establishment of the office of President.
123. Qualification for election as President.
124. Election of the President: general.
125. Election: single Presidential candidate.
126. Election: more than one Presidential candidate.
127. Tenure of office of President.
128. Disqualifications.
129. Oaths of President.
130. Establishment of office of Vice - President.
131. Nomination and election of Vice - President.
132. Removal of President from office.
133. Permanent incapacity of President.
134. Discharge of functions of President.
135. Ministers of Federal Government.
136. Executive responsibilities of Ministers.
137. Oaths of Ministers.
138. Attorney-General of the Federation .
139. Special Advisers.
B-Establishment of Certain Federal Executive Bodies.
140. Federal Commissions and Councils.
141. Appointment of Chairman and members.
142. Tenure of office of members.
143. Qualification for membership.
144. Removal of members.
145. Independence of certain bodies.
146. Quorum and decisions.
147. Powers and procedure.
148. Interpretation.
C-Public Revenue
149. Distributable pool account.
150. Allocation of other revenues.
151. Federal grants in aid of State revenue.
152. Cost of collection of certain duties.
153. Set-off.
154. Sums charged on Consolidated Revenue Fund.
155. Provisions with regard to payments.
D-The Public Service of the Federation
156. Federal Civil Service Commission: power to delegate functions.
157. Presidential appointments.
158. Code of Conduct.
159. Protection of pension rights.
160. Public prosecutions.
161. Prerogative of mercy.
Part II - State Executive
A - The Governor of a State
162. Establishment of the office of Governor.
163. Qualification for election as Governor.
164. Election of Governor.
165. Tenure of office of Governor.
166. Disqualifications.
167. Oaths of Governor.
168. Establishment of the office of Deputy Governor.
169. Nomination and election of Deputy Governor.
170. Removal of Governor or Deputy Governor from office.
171. Permanent incapacity of Governor or Deputy Governor.
172. Discharge of functions of Governor.
173. Commissioners of State Government.
174. Executive responsibilities of Commissioners.
175. Oaths of Commissioners.
176. Attorney-General of a State.
177. Special Advisers.
B-Establishment of Certain State Executive Bodies.
178. State Commissions and Council.
179. Appointment of Chairman and members.
180. Tenure of office of members.
181. Qualification for membership.
182. Removal of members.
183. Independence of certain bodies.
184. Quorum and decisions.
185. Powers and procedure.
186. Interpretation.
C-The Public Service of a State.
187. State Civil Service Commission: power of delegation.
188. Appointments by Governor.
189. Code of Conduct.
190. Protection of pension rights.
191. Public Prosecutions.
192. Prerogative of mercy.
Part III - Supplemental
A - National Population Census
193. National population census.
B - Nigeria Police Force
194. Establishment of Nigeria Police Force.
195. Appointment of Inspector-General and control of Nigeria Police Force.
196. Delegation of powers to the Inspector-General of Police.
C - Armed Forces of Federation.
197. Establishment and composition of the armed forces of the Federation.
198. Command and operational use.
199. Establishment of body to ensure federal character of armed forces.
200. Compulsory military service.
D - Political Parties
201. Prohibition of political activities by certain associations.
202. Restriction on formation of political parties.
203. Constitution and rules.
204. Aims and objects.
205. Finances of political parties.
206. Annual report on finances.
207. Prohibition of quasi-military organisations.
208. Powers of the National Assembly with respect to political parties.
209. Interpretation.
Chapter VII
The Judicature
Part I - Federal Courts.
A - The Supreme Court of Nigeria
210. Establishment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
211. Appointment of Justices of the Supreme Court.
212. Original Jurisdiction.
213. Appellate Jurisdiction.
214. Constitution.
215. Finality of determinations.
216. Practice and procedure.
B - The Federal Court of Appeal
217. Establishment of Federal Court of Appeal.
218. Appointment of Justices of the Federal Court of Appeal.
219. Jurisdiction.
220. Appeals as of right from a High Court.
221. Appeals with leave.
222. Exercise of right of appeal from a High Court in civil and criminal matters.
223. Appeals from Sharia Court of Appeal of a State.
224. Appeals from Customary Court of Appeal of a State.
225. Appeals from Code of Conduct Tribunal and other courts and tribunals.
226. Constitution of Federal Court of Appeal.
227. Practice and procedure.
C - The Federal High Court
228. Establishment of the Federal High Court.
229. Appointment of Chief Judge and Judges.
230. Jurisdiction.
231. Powers.
232. Constitution.
233. Practice and procedure.
Part II - State Courts
A - High Court of a State
234. Establishment of a High Court for each State.
235. Appointment of Chief Judge and Judges.
236. Jurisdiction: general.
237. Jurisdiction as to certain proceedings.
238. Constitution.
239. Practice and procedure.
B - Sharia Court of Appeal of a State.
240. Establishment of Sharia Court of Appeal.
241. Appointment of Grand Kadi and Kadis.
242. Jurisdiction.
243. Constitution.
244. Practice and procedure.
C - Customary Court of Appeal of a State
245. Establishment of Customary Court of Appeal.
246. Appointment of President and Judges.
247. Jurisdiction.
248. Constitution.
249. Practice and procedure.
Part III - Supplemental
250. Jurisdiction of State courts in respect of Federal causes.
251. Enforcement of decisions.
252. Appointment of persons learned in Islamic personal law and Customary law.
253. Disqualification of certain legal practitioners.
254. Oaths of judicial officers.
255. Tenure of office and pension rights of judicial officers.
256. Removal of judicial officers from office.
257. Vacancies.
258. Determination of causes and matters.
259. References of questions of law.
260. Interpretation.
Chapter VIII
Federal Capital Territory and General Supplementary Provisions
Part I - Federal Capital Territory
261. Federal Capital Territory: ownership of lands.
262. Capital of the Federation.
263. Application of Constitution.
264. Adaptation of certain references.
Part II - Miscellaneous Provisions
265. Procedure for declaration of state of emergency.
266. Resignations.
267. Restrictions on legal proceedings.
Part III - Transitional Provisions and Savings.
268. Citizenship.
269. Staff of legislative houses.
270. Standing Orders.
271. Special provisions in respect of first election.
272. System of revenue allocation.
273. Debts.
274. Existing law.
275. Existing offices, courts and authorities.
276. Succession to property, rights, liabilities and obligations.
Part IV - Interpretation, Citation and Commencement
277. Interpretation.
278. Citation.
279. Commencement.
Schedules
First Schedule
- Part I - States of the Federation.
- Part II - Definition of Federal Capital Territory.
Second Schedule
- Part I - Exclusive Legislative List.
- Part II - Concurrent Legislative List.
- Part III - Supplemental and Interpretation.
Third Schedule
- Part I - Federal Executive Bodies.
- Part II - States Executive Bodies.
Fourth Schedule
- Functions of Local Government Council.
Fifth Schedule
- Part I - Code of Conduct for Public Officers.
- Part II - Specified Offices.
Sixth Schedule
Guides