THE CONSTITUTION OF NIGERIA, 1999 (with 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Alteration Acts)

1999 CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERATION OF NIGERIA [AS AMENDED/CONSOLIDATED WITH THE 1ST, 2ND, 3RD, 4TH AND 5TH ALTERATION ACTS]

TABLE OF ALTERATION/AMENDMENT INSTRUMENTS USED IN THE CONSOLIDATION

1.       1ST ALTERATION: Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (First Alteration) Act, 2010 (An Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for the financial independence of the National Assembly and the Independent Electoral Commission)

2.       2ND ALTERATION: Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Second Alteration) (No. 2) Act, 2010 (An Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for new timelines for the conduct of national elections, by the Independent National Electoral Commission)

3.       3RD ALTERATION: Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Third Alteration) Act, 2010 (An Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for the establishment of the National Industrial Court under the Constitution)

4.       4TH ALTERATION:

           (i)     Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fourth Alteration) (No. 4) Act, 2017 (An Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for the financial autonomy of State legislatures and State judiciary; and for related matters)

           (ii)    Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fourth Alteration) (No. 9) Act, 2017 (An Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for the Independent National Electoral Commission with sufficient time to conduct bye-elections and provide grounds for de-registration of political parties; and for related matters)

           (iii)   Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fourth Alteration) (No. 16) Act, 2017 (An Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for disqualification of a person who was sworn-in as President or Governor to complete the term of the elected President or Governor from being elected to the same office for more than a single term; and for related matters.)

           (iv)   Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fourth Alteration) (No. 21) Act, 2017 (An Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for the determination of pre-election matters; and for related matters).       

           (v)    Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fourth Alteration) (No. 27) Act, 2017 (An Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for the reduction of the age qualification for the Office of the President and membership of the House of Representatives and the State Houses of Assembly).

5.        5TH ALTERATION:

           (i)     Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fifth Alteration) (No. 1) Act, 2023 (An Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to change the names of Afikpo North and Afikpo South Local Government Areas; and for related matters)

           (ii)    Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fifth Alteration) (No. 2) Act, 2023 (An Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to change the name of Kunchi Local Government area; and for related matters)

           (iii)   Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fifth Alteration) (No. 3) Act, 2023 (An Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to change the names of Egbado North and Egbado South Local Government Areas; and for related matters)

           (iv)   Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fifth Alteration) (No. 4) Act, 2023 (An Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to change the name of Atigbo Local Government Area; and for related matters)

           (v)    Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fifth Alteration) (No. 5) Act, 2023 (An Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to change the name of Obia/Akpor Local Government area; and for related matters)

           (vi)   Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fifth Alteration) (No. 6) Act, 2023 (An Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for the financial independence of State Houses of Assembly and State Judiciary; and for related matters)

           (vii)  Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fifth Alteration) (No. 8) Act, 2023 (An Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to regulate the First Session and inauguration of Members-Elect of the National and State Houses of Assembly; and for related matters)    

           (viii) Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fifth Alteration) (No. 9) Act, 2023 (An Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to delete the reference to the provisions of the Criminal Code, Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Act, Criminal Procedure Code or Evidence Act; and for related matters)

           (ix)   Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fifth Alteration) (No. 10) Act, 2023 (An Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to exclude the period of intervening events in the computation of time for determining pre-election petitions, election petitions and appeals; and for related matters)

           (x)    Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fifth Alteration) (No. 12) Act, 2023 (An Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for the post call qualification of the Secretary of the National Judicial Council; and for related matters).

           (xi)   Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fifth Alteration) (No. 15) Act, 2023 (An Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to delete the item, “Prisons” in the Exclusive Legislative List and Redesignate it as as Correctional Services in the Concurrent Legislative List; and for Related Matters).   

           (xii)  Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fifth Alteration) (No. 16) Act, 2023 (An Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to to move the item “Railways” from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List; and for related matters).

           (xiii) Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fifth Alteration) (No. 17) Act, 2023 (An Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to allow States generate, transmit and distribute electricity in areas covered by the National Grid; and for related matters).

           (xiv) Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fifth Alteration) (No. 23) Act, 2023 (An Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to require the President and Governors to submit the names of persons nominated as Ministers of commissioners within sixty days of taking the Oath of Office for confirmation by the Senate or State House of Assembly; and for related matters).

           (xv)  Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fifth Alteration) (No. 32) Act, 2023 (An Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to correct the error in the definition of the boundary of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja; and for related matters).

           (xvi) Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fifth Alteration) (No. 34) Act, 2023 (Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to require the Government to direct its policy towards ensuring Right to Food and Food Security in Nigeria; and for related matters)

           (xvii) Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fifth Alteration) (No. 37) Act, 2023 (An Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to ensure uniformity in the retirement age and pension rights of judicial officers of superior courts of record; and for related matters).

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

CHAPTER I — General Provisions

Part I: Federal Republic of Nigeria

1.        Supremacy of Constitution

2.        The Federal Republic of Nigeria

3.        States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

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, etc.

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 Directives Principles of State Policy

13.      Fundamental obligations of the Government.

14.     The Government and the people

15.     Political objectives.

16.     Economic objectives.

17.     Social objectives.

18.     Educational objectives.

19.     Foreign policy objectives.

20.     Environmental objectives.

21.     Directive on Nigerian cultures

22.     Obligation of the mass media

23.     National ethics.

24.     Duties of the citizen.

CHAPTER III — Citizenship

25.      Citizenship by Birth

26.      Citizenship by Registration.

27.      Citizenship by Naturalisation.

28.      Dual Citizenship.

29.      Renunciation of Citizenship.

30.      Deprivation of Citizenship.

31.      Persons deemed to be Nigerian citizens.

32.      Power to make regulations.

CHAPTER IV — Fundamental Rights

33.      Right to Life.

34.      Right to dignity of human persons.

35.      Right to personal liberty.

36.      Right to fair hearing.

37.      Right to private and family life.

38.      Right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion

39.      Right to freedom of expression and the press.

40.      Right to peaceful assembly and association.

41.      Right to freedom of movement.

42.      Right to freedom from discrimination.

43.      Right to acquire and own immovable property.

44.      Compulsory acquisition of property.

45.      Restriction on and derogation from fundamental human rights.

46.      Special jurisdiction of High Court and Legal aid.

CHAPTER V — The Legislature

Part I: National Assembly

A:       Composition and Staff of National Assembly

47.      Establishment of National Assembly.

48.      Composition of the Senate

49.      Composition of the House of Representatives.

50.      President of the senate and speaker of the House of Representatives.

51.      Staff of the National Assembly. 

B:       Procedure for Summoning and Dissolution of National Assembly

52.      Declaration of assets and liabilities; oaths of members.

53.      Presiding at sitting of the National Assembly and at joint sittings.

54.      Quorum.

55.      Languages

56.      Voting

57.      Unqualified person sitting or voting.

58.      Mode of exercising Federal Legislative power: general

59.      Mode of exercising Federal Legislative power: money bills.

60.      Regulation of procedure

61.      Vacancy or participation of strangers not to invalidate proceedings

62.      Committees

63.      Sittings

64.      Dissolution and issue of proclamations by president.

C:      Qualification for Membership of National Assembly and Right of Attendance

65.      Qualifications for election

66.      Disqualifications

67.      Right of attendance of President

68.      Tenure of Seat of Members

69.      Recall

70.      Remuneration

D:       Elections to the National Assembly

71.      Senatorial districts and Federal constituencies

72.      Size of Senatorial districts and Federal constituencies.

73.      Periodical review of Senatorial districts and Federal constituencies

74.     Time when alteration of senatorial districts or Federal constituencies takes effects.

75.      Ascertainment of population

76.      Time of Election to the National Assembly

77.      Direct Election and franchise

78.      Supervision of election

79.     Power of the National Assembly as to determination of certain questions.

E:       Powers and Control over Public Funds

80.      Establishment of Consolidated Revenue Fund

81.      Authorisation of expenditure from Consolidated Revenue Fund

82.      Authorisation of expenditure in default appropriations

83.      Contingencies Fund

84.      Remuneration, etc. of the President and certain other officers

85.      Audit of Public accounts

86.      Appointment of Auditor-General

87.      Tenure of office of Auditor-General

88.      Power to conduct investigations

89.      Power as to matters of evidence

Part II: House of Assembly

A:       Composition and Staff of a House of Assembly

90.      Establishment of House of assembly for each State

91.      Composition of the House of Assembly

92.      Speaker of House of Assembly

93.      Staff of house of Assembly

B:       Procedure for Summoning and Dissolution of a House of Assembly

94.      Declaration of assets and liabilities; oaths of members

95.      Presiding at sittings

96.      Quorum

97.      Languages

98.      Voting

99.      Unqualified person sitting or voting

100.    Mode of exercising legislative power of a state

101.    Regulation of procedure

102.    Vacancy or participation of strangers not to invalidate proceedings.

103.    Committees

104.    Sittings

105.    Dissolution and issue of proclamation by Governor

106.     Qualifications for election

107.    Disqualifications

108.    Right of attendance of Governor

109.    Tenure of Seat of Members

110.    Recall

111.    Remuneration

D:       Elections to a House of Assembly

112.   State constituencies

113.    Size of state constituencies

114.    Periodical review of State constituencies

115.    Time when alteration of state constituencies takes effect

116.    Time of elections to Houses of Assembly

117.    Direct election and franchise

118.    Supervision and election

119.   Power of National Assembly as to determination of certain questions

E:      Powers and Control over Public Funds

120.   Establishment of Consolidated Revenue Fund

121.   Authorisation of expenditure from Consolidated Revenue fund

122.   Authorisation of expenditure in default of appropriations.

123.   Contingencies Fund

124.   Remuneration, etc. of the governor and certain other officers

125.   Audit of Public accounts

126.   Appointment of Auditor-General

127.   Tenure of office of Auditor-General

128.   Power to conduct investigations

129.   Power as to matters of evidence.

CHAPTERVI — THE EXECUTIVE 

Part I: Federal Executive

A:      The President of the Federation

130.   Establishment of the office of President

131.   Qualification for election as President

132.   Election of the President: General

133.   Election: single presidential candidate

134.   Election: two or more presidential candidates

135.   Tenure of office of President

136.   Death, etc. of president-elect before oath of office.

137.   Disqualifications.

138.   President: disqualification from other jobs.

139.   Determination of certain questions relating to election

140.   Declaration of assets and liabilities; oaths of President.

141.   Establishment of office of Vice-President

142.   Nomination and election of Vice-President

143.   Removal of President from office

144.   Permanent incapacity of President or Vice-President.

145.   Acting President during temporary absence of President

146.   Discharge of functions of President

147.   Ministers of federal Government

148.   Executive Responsibilities of Ministers

149.   Declaration of Assets and liabilities; oaths of Ministers.

150.   Attorney-General of the Federation

151.   Special Advisers.

152.   Declaration of assets and Liabilities; oaths of special Adviser.

B:      Establishment of Certain Federal Executive Bodies

153.   Federal Commissions and Councils, etc.

154.   Appointment of Chairman and members

155.   Tenure of Office of members

156.   Qualification for membership.

157.   Removal of members.

158.   Independence of certain bodies

159.   Quorum and decisions

160.   Powers and Procedure.

161.   Interpretation.

C:      Public Revenue

162.   Distributable pool account

163.   Allocation of other revenues

164.   Federal grants-in-aid of State revenue.

165.   Cost of collection of certain duties

166.   Set-off.

167.   Sums charged on consolidated Revenue Fund.

168.   Provisions with regard to payments

C:      The Public Service of the Federation

169.   Establishment of civil service of the Federation

170.   Federal Civil service Commission: power to delegate functions

171.   Presidential appointments

172.   Code of Conduct

173.   Protection of pension rights.

174.   Public persecutions

175.   Prerogative of mercy.

Part II: State Executive

A:      The Governor of A State

176.   Establishment of office of Governor

177.   Qualification for election as Governor

178.   Election of Governor: general.

179.   Election: single candidate and two or more candidates

180.   Tenure of office of Governor

181.   Death, etc. of Governor before oath of office.

182.   Disqualifications

183.   Governor: disqualification from other jobs.

184.   Determination of certain questions relating to elections.

185.   Declaration of assets and liabilities; oaths of office of Governor.

186.   Establishment of the office of the Deputy Governor

187.   Nomination and election of the Deputy Governor

188.   Removal of Governor or Deputy Governor from office.

189.   Permanent incapacity of Governor or Deputy Governor.

190.   Acting governor during temporary absence of Governor.

191.   Discharge of functions of Governor.

192.   Commissioners of State Government.

193.   Executive responsibilities of Deputy Governor and Commissioners.

194.   Declaration of assets and liabilities; oaths of Commissioners

195.   Attorney-General of a State

196.   Special Advisers

B:      Establishment of Certain State Executive Bodies

197.   State Commissions

198.   Appointment of Chairman and members.

199.   Tenure of office of the members.

200.   Qualification for membership

201.   Removal of members.

202.   Independence of certain bodies.

203.   Quorum and decisions.

204.   Powers and procedure

205.   Interpretation

C:      The Public Service of A State

206.   Establishment of State Civil Service

207.   State Civil Service Commission: Power of delegation

208.   Appointments by Governor

209.   Code of Conduct.

210.   Protection of pension rights.

211.   Public prosecutions

212.   Prerogative of mercy

Part III: Supplemental

A:      National Population Census

213.   National Population census

B:      Nigeria Police Force

214.   Establishment of Nigeria Police Force.

215.   Appointment of Inspector-General and control of Nigeria Police Force.

216.   Delegation of powers to the Inspector-General of Police

C:      Armed Forces of the Federation

217.   Establishment and composition of the armed force of the Federation

218.   Command and operational use

219.   Establishment of body to ensure federal character of armed forces

220.   Compulsory military service.

D:      Political Parties

221.   Prohibition of political activities by certain associations.

222.   Restrictions on formation of political parties

223.   Constitution and rules of political parties.

224.   Aims and objectives

225.   Finances of political parties.

226.   Annual reports on finances

227.   Prohibition of quasi-military organisations.

228.   Powers of the national assembly with respect to political parties.

229.   Interpretation.

CHAPTER VII — THE JUDICATURE

Part I: Federal Courts

A:      The Supreme Court of Nigeria

230.   Establishment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria

231.   Appointment of Chief justices of Nigeria and justices of the Supreme Court

232.   Original jurisdiction.

233.   Appellate jurisdiction.

234.   Constitution

235.   Finality of determinations

236.   Practice and procedure

B: The Court of Appeal

237.   Establishment of Court of Appeal

238.   Appointment of President and Justices of the Court of Appeal.

239.   Original jurisdiction

240.   Appellate jurisdiction

241.   Appeals as of rights from the Federal high Court or a High Court.

242.   Appeals with leave

243.   Exercise of the rights of appeal from the Federal High Court of a High Court in civil and criminal matters.

244.   Appeals from Sharia court of Appeal

245.   Appeals from customary court of appeal.

246.   Appeals from Code of Conduct Tribunal and other courts and tribunals

247.   Constitution

248.   Practice and procedure.

C: The Federal High Court

249.   Establishment of the Federal High Court.

250.   Appointment of Chief Judge and Judges of the federal high Court.

251.   Jurisdiction

252.   Powers

253.   Constitution.

254.   Practice and procedure

CC:    The National Industrial Court of Nigeria

254A. Establishment of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria

254B. Appointment of President and Judges of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria

254C. Jurisdiction

254D.          Powers

254E. Constitution.

254F. Practice and procedure

D:      The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja

255.   Establishment of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

256.   Appointment of Chief Judge and Judges of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

257.   Jurisdiction.

258.   Constitution.

259.   Practice and procedure

E:      The Sharia Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja

260.   Establishment of the Sharia Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

261.   Appointment of Grand Kadi and Kadis of the Sharia Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

262.   Jurisdiction.

263.   Constitution.

264.   Practice and Procedure

F:      The Customary Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory

265.   Establishment of the Customary Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

266.   Appointment of President and Judges of Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

267.   Jurisdiction.

268.   Constitution.

269.   Practice and Procedure

Part II: State Courts

A: High Court of a State

270.   Establishment of a High Court for each State.

271.   Appointment of Chief Judge and Judges of the High Court of a State.

272.   Jurisdiction.

273.   Constitution.

274.   Practice and Procedure

B:      Sharia Court of Appeal of a State

275.   Establishment of Sharia Court of Appeal.

276.   Appointment of Grand Kadi and Kadis of the Sharia Court of Appeal of a State.

277.   Jurisdiction.

278.   Constitution.

279.   Practice and Procedure

B:      Customary Court of Appeal of a State

280.   Establishment of a Customary Court of Appeal.

281.   Appointment of President and Judges of the Customary Court of Appeal of a State.

282.   Jurisdiction.

283.   Constitution.

284.   Practice and Procedure

Part III: Election Tribunals

285.   Establishment and jurisdiction of election tribunals.

Part IV: Supplemental

286.   Jurisdiction of state courts in respect of federal causes

287.   Enforcement of decisions.

288.   Appointment of persons leaned in Islamic personal law and Customary law

289.   Disqualification of certain legal practitioners.

290.   Declaration of assets and liabilities: oaths of judicial officers.

291.   Tenure of office and pension rights of judicial officers.

292.   Removal of other judicial officers from office.

293.   Vacancies

294.   Determination of causes and matters

295.   Reference of questions of law.

296.   Interpretation

CHAPTER VIII — Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and General Supplementary Provisions

Part I: Federal Capital Territory, Abuja

297.   Federal Capital territory, Abuja: ownership of lands.

298.   Capital of the federation

299.   Application of Constitution.

300.   Representation in the National Assembly

301.   Adaptation of certain references.

302.   Minister of Federal Capital territory, Abuja.

303.   Administration of the Federal Capital territory, Abuja.

304.   Establishment of the Judicial Service Committee of the Federal Capital territory, Abuja

Part II: Miscellaneous Provisions

305.   Procedure for proclamation of state of emergency

306.   Resignations.

307.   Restriction on certain citizens

308.   Restrictions on legal proceedings.

Part III: Transitional Provisions and Savings

309.   Citizenship

310.   Staff of legislative houses.

311.   Standing Orders

312.   Special provisions in respect of first election.

313.   System of revenue allocation.

314.   Debts.

315.   Existing law.

316.   Existing offices, courts and authorities.

317.   Succession to property, rights, liabilities and obligations.

Part IV: Interpretation, Citation and Commencement

318.   Interpretation.

319.   Citation.

320.   Commencement.

SCHEDULES

First Schedule

Part I — States of the Federation

Part II — Definition and Area Councils of the Federal capital Territory, Abuja

Second Schedule: Legislative Powers 

Part I — Exclusive Legislative List

Part II — Concurrent Legislative List

Part III — Supplemental and Interpretation

Third Schedule

Part I — Federal Executive Bodies: 

Code of Conduct Bureau

Council of State

Federal Character Commission

Federal Civil Service Commission

Federal Judicial Service Commission

Independent National Electoral Commission

National Defence Council

National Economic Council

National Judicial Council

National Security Council

Nigeria Police Council

Police Service Commission

Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission

Part II — State Executive Bodies

State Civil Service Commission

State Independent Electoral Commission

State Judicial Service Commission

Part III — Federal Capital Territory, Abuja Executive Body

Judicial Service Committee of the Federal capital Territory, FCT, Abuja

Fourth Schedule — Functions of a Local Government Council

Fifth Schedule

Part I — Code of Conduct for Public Officers

Part II — Public Officers for the Purposes of the Code of Conduct

Sixth Schedule — Election Tribunals

Seventh Schedule — Oaths

APPENDIX

i.       Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1st Alteration) Act, 2010

ii.       Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (2nd Alteration) Act, 2010

iii.      Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (3rd Alteration) Act, 2010

iv.      Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (4th Alteration) Act(s), 2017

v.       Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (5th Alteration) Act(s), 2023

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LAWS OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

LAWS OF THE FEDERATION OF NIGERIA BY YEARS (MADE BETWEEN 1999-DATE)