Introduction
Nigeria is one of the most dynamic and diverse countries in the world—and easily one of the most complex political systems covered in the AP Comparative Government and Politics course. It’s a nation rich in natural resources and human talent, yet consistently challenged by corruption, regional tension, inequality, and instability.
For AP students, Nigeria provides a powerful example of a newly democratic state still navigating the legacy of colonialism, military rule, and ethnic conflict, while working to uphold the institutions of a federal republic. It’s a story of hope, struggle, reform, and resilience.
1. Historical Background: From Colonialism to Civilian Rule
a. Colonial Legacy
- Nigeria was a British colony until 1960.
- The British ruled Nigeria by merging very different ethnic and religious regions into one administrative unit, with little regard for local harmony.
- This created deep cleavages—especially between the mostly Muslim North and Christian South.
b. Post-Independence and Military Rule
- After independence in 1960, Nigeria faced a series of military coups, civil war, and instability.
- The Biafran War (1967–1970) was a major secessionist conflict that exposed the country’s ethnic tensions.
- Nigeria alternated between civilian governments and military regimes for decades.
c. Transition to Democracy
- The return to democracy came in 1999 with the election of Olusegun Obasanjo, a former military leader turned civilian president.
- Since then, Nigeria has experienced regular, though imperfect, elections, making it a young but functioning democracy.
2. The 1999 Constitution and the Democratic System
Nigeria’s political system is based on the 1999 Constitution, which established a federal republic with a presidential system, much like the United States.
a. Key Features
- Three branches of government: executive, legislature, and judiciary.
- Clear separation of powers and a two-term limit for the presidency.
- Federalism is emphasized to reflect Nigeria’s ethnic and regional diversity.
3. Executive Branch: President and Cabinet
The President of Nigeria is the head of state, head of government, and commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The president is elected by popular vote for a four-year term and can serve a maximum of two terms.
a. Election Requirements
To win in the first round, a candidate must:
- Receive a plurality of votes nationwide, and
- Win at least 25% of votes in at least two-thirds of Nigeria’s 36 states
This rule ensures that no president is elected only from a specific region or ethnic group—a critical safeguard in a country as diverse as Nigeria.
b. Powers of the President
- Appoints cabinet ministers and agency heads (confirmed by the Senate).
- Prepares the national budget.
- Signs or vetoes legislation.
- Leads foreign and defense policy.
The presidency has historically been a powerful office, and Nigerian politics often revolve around who holds it.
4. The National Assembly: Bicameral Legislature
Nigeria’s legislative branch is called the National Assembly. It has two chambers:
a. Senate
- 109 senators: 3 from each of the 36 states, plus 1 from the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja).
- Elected via plurality vote in single-member districts.
- Serves four-year terms.
b. House of Representatives
- 360 members elected from single-member constituencies.
- Also elected via plurality.
The legislature passes laws, approves budgets, and confirms executive appointments. While Nigeria’s National Assembly has sometimes struggled to act independently, it has become more assertive in recent years, especially on budgetary issues and executive oversight.
5. Federalism and the Role of States
Nigeria’s federal structure reflects its size and diversity. The country is divided into 36 states and 1 Federal Capital Territory.
a. Shared and Exclusive Powers
- States have authority over areas like education, health, and local policing.
- The federal government controls defense, foreign affairs, and monetary policy.
b. Resource Distribution
- Nigeria’s federalism is highly centralized when it comes to revenues.
- Oil-rich states often demand more control over their resources, creating tensions between federal and state governments.
c. Zoning and Rotation
- There is an informal agreement (known as “zoning”) that rotates presidential candidates between the North and South to balance regional power.
- This practice is not written in law but shapes how political parties choose their nominees.
6. Electoral System and Political Parties
Elections in Nigeria are a cornerstone of the democratic process, though they are often marked by violence, vote-buying, and legal disputes.
a. Presidential Elections
- Held every four years.
- A candidate must win a plurality of the national vote and at least 25% in 24 of the 36 states to be elected.
- This system forces candidates to build coalitions across ethnic and regional lines.
b. INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission)
- Oversees voter registration, election logistics, and certification of results.
- Intended to be independent, but its credibility varies across elections.
c. Major Political Parties
- People’s Democratic Party (PDP): Dominant from 1999–2015, centrist and national in scope.
- All Progressives Congress (APC): Formed in 2013 as a merger of opposition groups; currently in power.
- Other parties exist, but elections are largely two-party contests, especially at the national level.
While multiparty democracy exists on paper, power is often concentrated among political elites, and parties are driven more by regional alliances and patronage than ideology.
7. Social Cleavages: Ethnicity, Region, and Religion
Nigeria is one of the most ethnically and religiously diverse countries in the world.
a. Ethnic Diversity
- Over 250 ethnic groups.
- The three largest are:
- Hausa-Fulani (North)
- Yoruba (Southwest)
- Igbo (Southeast)
- Ethnicity plays a central role in voting patterns, party loyalty, and resource distribution.
b. Religion
- Roughly split between Muslims (mostly in the North) and Christians (mostly in the South).
- Religious tensions are most visible in Middle Belt states, where communities often live side by side.
- Issues like Sharia law, blasphemy laws, and religious-based violence remain politically sensitive.
c. Regionalism
- North-South divides affect politics, economics, and infrastructure development.
- The zoning principle helps manage this divide, but distrust between regions lingers.
8. Civil Society, Media, and Activism
a. Civil Society
- Nigeria has a strong network of NGOs, unions, and advocacy groups.
- Organizations focus on human rights, anti-corruption, education, and women’s empowerment.
- However, groups often face harassment from local officials or security forces.
b. Media
- Nigeria has a diverse and vocal media landscape, especially in urban areas.
- Investigative journalism is active, but journalists face threats, arrests, and censorship, particularly in conflict zones.
c. Protests and Youth Movements
- The #EndSARS movement (2020), which protested against police brutality, became a major political moment.
- It showed the power of social media, youth activism, and public pressure in shaping discourse.
9. Corruption, Security, and Governance Challenges
a. Corruption
- Despite numerous anti-corruption agencies, corruption is deeply rooted in both federal and state governments.
- Public contracts, oil revenues, and civil service positions are often used for patronage.
b. Security Issues
- Boko Haram, an Islamist terrorist group in the Northeast, has caused thousands of deaths and displaced millions.
- Banditry, kidnapping for ransom, and farmer-herder conflicts affect large parts of the country.
c. Oil and the Economy
- Oil accounts for over 90% of Nigeria’s exports, but dependence on it makes the economy vulnerable to global price shocks.
- Oil-producing regions, especially the Niger Delta, suffer from pollution and underdevelopment—fueling resentment.
10. Summary Table: Nigeria in a Nutshell
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Regime Type | Federal presidential democracy |
| Electoral System | Plurality with federal spread requirement |
| Key Political Parties | PDP, APC (major), others exist but weak nationally |
| Religion & Ethnicity | Highly diverse; divisions influence politics and violence |
| Civil Society | Active but restricted in some regions |
| Press Freedom | Strong in cities; weaker in conflict zones |
| Security Challenges | Boko Haram, banditry, ethnic conflict |
| Economy | Oil-based, but suffers from inequality and mismanagement |
Final Note
It is our belief here at Ingenium IQ that students deserve more than just materials summarizing their textbooks. For this reason, we have checked and reviewed many studying websites to pick out the most useful tool for AP Government and Politics.
After doing plenty of research, Noble Learners proved to be the superior choice for personal AP tutoring. Their teachers have the knowledge and know-how to discuss Nigeria as a global case with the help of real-life connections and exercises. Students at Noble Learners are assisted with personal guides and well-defined strategies for different kinds of questions.
To book a free trial session or learn more about how Noble Learners can support your academic goals, visit:
https://noblelearners.in/
Or alternatively, you can go directly to the AP Gov section:
https://noblelearners.in/ap-comparative-government-and-politics-tutor/
Apart from this, Noble Learners also provides tutoring for all other subjects related to the US Curriculum. To explore more, visit:
https://noblelearners.in/online-tutor-from-india-to-usa/