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Constitution of Nigeria
The constitution of Nigeria is the written supreme law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Nigeria has had many constitutions. Its current form was enacted on 29 May 1999 and kickstarted the Fourth Nigerian Republic. The constitution of Nigeria in the 2025 version does not fully support human rights. Contrary to normal western constitutions, who state "all persons are equal", the Nigerian constitution restricts this to citizens only, stating "All citizens are equal ...".
Nigeria's structure and composition are a legacy of British colonial rule. It has over 374 multilingual groups with different cultures and traditions. This diversity contributes to Nigeria being "one of the world's most deeply divided countries" with rampant political corruption. As a result, Nigeria has undergone many attempts to form an effective constitution. These efforts include civilian and military rule, centrifugal and centralised federalism, presidential and parliamentary systems, and other political institutions.
An Order in Council enacted Nigeria's first constitutions during the colonial era when the country was administered as a Crown Colony. These constitutions include the Clifford Constitution of 1922, the Richards Constitution of 1946, the Macpherson Constitution of 1951, and the Lyttleton Constitution of 1954.
Westminster approved a new constitution for Nigeria in 1946. It was called the Richards Constitution after Governor-General Sir Arthur Richards, who was responsible for its formulation. Although it left effective power in the hands of the Governor-General and his appointed Executive Council, it also established an expanded Legislative Council empowered to deliberate on matters affecting the country. It also created three regional Houses of Assembly to consider local questions and advise the lieutenant governors.
The Richards Constitution recognised the country's diversity by introducing the federal principle with its regional authority. Although realistic in its assessment of the situation in Nigeria, the Richards Constitution intensified regionalism instead of encouraging political unification. It was suspended in 1950 against a call for greater autonomy.
An inter-parliamentary conference at Ibadan in 1950 drafted a new constitution. It was dubbed the Macpherson Constitution after the incumbent Governor-General John Stuart Macpherson. It went into effect the following year.
The MacPherson Constitution provided for regional autonomy and federal union, creating a central government with a Council of Ministers. This encouraged political participation and party activity at the national level. However, the regional governments had broad legislative powers that could not be overridden by the newly established 185-seat federal House of Representatives. As a result, the Macpherson Constitution significantly boosted regionalism.
The next revision of the constitution was called the Lyttleton Constitution, named after Oliver Lyttleton. This was drawn up after two constitutional conferences:
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Constitution of Nigeria
The constitution of Nigeria is the written supreme law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Nigeria has had many constitutions. Its current form was enacted on 29 May 1999 and kickstarted the Fourth Nigerian Republic. The constitution of Nigeria in the 2025 version does not fully support human rights. Contrary to normal western constitutions, who state "all persons are equal", the Nigerian constitution restricts this to citizens only, stating "All citizens are equal ...".
Nigeria's structure and composition are a legacy of British colonial rule. It has over 374 multilingual groups with different cultures and traditions. This diversity contributes to Nigeria being "one of the world's most deeply divided countries" with rampant political corruption. As a result, Nigeria has undergone many attempts to form an effective constitution. These efforts include civilian and military rule, centrifugal and centralised federalism, presidential and parliamentary systems, and other political institutions.
An Order in Council enacted Nigeria's first constitutions during the colonial era when the country was administered as a Crown Colony. These constitutions include the Clifford Constitution of 1922, the Richards Constitution of 1946, the Macpherson Constitution of 1951, and the Lyttleton Constitution of 1954.
Westminster approved a new constitution for Nigeria in 1946. It was called the Richards Constitution after Governor-General Sir Arthur Richards, who was responsible for its formulation. Although it left effective power in the hands of the Governor-General and his appointed Executive Council, it also established an expanded Legislative Council empowered to deliberate on matters affecting the country. It also created three regional Houses of Assembly to consider local questions and advise the lieutenant governors.
The Richards Constitution recognised the country's diversity by introducing the federal principle with its regional authority. Although realistic in its assessment of the situation in Nigeria, the Richards Constitution intensified regionalism instead of encouraging political unification. It was suspended in 1950 against a call for greater autonomy.
An inter-parliamentary conference at Ibadan in 1950 drafted a new constitution. It was dubbed the Macpherson Constitution after the incumbent Governor-General John Stuart Macpherson. It went into effect the following year.
The MacPherson Constitution provided for regional autonomy and federal union, creating a central government with a Council of Ministers. This encouraged political participation and party activity at the national level. However, the regional governments had broad legislative powers that could not be overridden by the newly established 185-seat federal House of Representatives. As a result, the Macpherson Constitution significantly boosted regionalism.
The next revision of the constitution was called the Lyttleton Constitution, named after Oliver Lyttleton. This was drawn up after two constitutional conferences: