STRUCTURE OF NIGERIA GOVERNMENT

STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS OF GOVERNMENT
By penalysis On September 18, 2016 In CIVIC EDUCATION Leave a comment
GOVERNMENT AS AN INSTITUTION
Government is an agency or machinery through which the will of the state is formulated, expressed and attained. It is the institution which makes and enforces law within the territorial boundaries of the state in order to regulate activities within the state in the interest of the citizens.
GOVERNMENT AS A PROCESS OR ART OF GOVERNING
Government is seen as a body vested with the power and authority for maintaining security, peace and stability by making and enforcing conventional and fundamental laws in a given state or society.
STRUCTURE/TIERS OF GOVERNMENT (NIGERIA)
Nigeria is a federal republic of 36 states with Abuja as Federal Capital Territory. The total number of local government as contained in section 3 and first schedule of 1999 constitution is 774 local governments which includes 6 councils in Abuja. The constitution however, recognized three (3) tiers of government in Nigeria – Federal, State and Local government.
FEATURES OF NIGERIA GOVERNMENT
1) There is supremacy of the constitution.
2) There is bicameral legislature at the federal level – National Assembly consisting of:
(a) The Senate: Composed of 109 senators with the senate president as the chairman. Each state of the federation has 3 senators each and the Federal capital has 1senator.
(b) House of representatives consists of 360 members with the honourable speaker as the Chairman. Seats at the House of Representatives are not shared equally.
3) At the state level, there are unicameral legislature i.e. state houses of assembly.
4) Abuja is the Federal Capital Territory and it is administered by the federal government.
5) The powers and functions of Nigeria are shared between the Federal and State governments. Shared under – Exclusive list (Federal), Concurrent list (Federal and states) and Residual list (states).
6) The federal and state government have its own judicial system.
7) The Supreme Court is the highest court of the federation.
8) Nigeria operates the presidential system of government in which the president is vested with all executive powers of government. The president is the head of state, the head of government and the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
9) There is separation of powers and there are checks and balances.
10) The constitution is written and rigid.
11) Regulated multi-party system is operated.
FUNCTIONS OF GOVERNMENT
1) Law Making: The main function of government includes law making, law execution and law adjudication.
2) Maintenance of law and order: The government is saddled with the responsibility of maintaining law and order. The police and the courts are established to carry out this function.
3) Defence of the country: To enable government function appropriately in this regard, the armed forces are set up and equipped to defend the country against any external attack.
4) Protection of lives and properties: The government owes it as its duty to protect lives and properties of the citizens.
5) Administration of justice: The law court settles disputes and administer justice. The prisons are established to punish offenders.
6) Provision of amenities: It is the duty of government to provide basic amenities for the well being of the citizens. For instance; Health care, public utilities, subsidized housing, public education etc.
7) Provision of employment opportunities: It is the duty of the government to provide employment and an enabling environment for the citizen to do business.
8) Political functions: These include conducting free and fair election, regulating political activities.