Politics Talk

Nigeria's federal system explained: 36 states, one capital, many levels

People abroad often think the president decides everything in Nigeria. It is more complex.

We have 36 states plus the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Each state has an elected governor and a state assembly. Below that are 774 local government areas. Governors are very powerful, many control big budgets from the federal allocation, and some are more important in daily life than federal ministers.

At the federal level we have a president and a National Assembly with a Senate (three senators per state, one for the FCT) and a House of Representatives. It is modelled partly on the US system.

The rule that a winning presidential candidate needs votes spread across the country, not only the most votes, is meant to keep the federation together. I think it is clever, even if not perfect.