These lecture notes are highlights from our A-Level Government textbooks. For complete study materials on this course, refer to our textbooks. We also recommend practicing past questions on this course after studying this material.
Below are the lecture notes for Government 003 (GOV 003): Nigerian Government and Politics, based on the JUPEB syllabus.
Lecture I – Pre‑Colonial Systems of Government in Nigeria
Objectives
Describe the major pre‑colonial political systems in Nigeria and explain their structures and functions
i The Hausa/Fulani System
A centralized emirate system based on Islamic law (Sharia)
Key institutions – Emir (political and religious head), Council of Chiefs (alkali courts), village heads
Features – hereditary succession, taxation (haraji/jangali), standing army, administrative provinces
ii The Yoruba System
Centered on city‑states like Oyo, Ife, and Ijebu
Key institutions – Alaafin (Oyo emperor), Oyo Mesi (kingmakers), Bashorun (prime minister), Ogbeni, Osi, etc
Features – checks and balances through councils, decentralized authority, strong guilds and trade networks
iii The Igbo System
Acephalous (stateless) society with no single paramount ruler
Governed by village assemblies, age grades, and the Ozo title society
Key institutions – Council of elders (ama‑ala), village meeting (ohu), lineage heads
Features – democratic deliberation, consensus‑based decisions, no formal courts but oracles and elders resolved disputes
iv Other Systems
Benin Empire – centralized monarchy with Oba and hereditary chiefs
Tiv and Ijaw – segmentary lineage systems with clan and kinship authority
Kanem‑Borno – Islamic empire with Mais and provincial governors
Lecture II – Colonial Administration in Nigeria
Objectives
Explain the system of indirect rule used by Britain, and describe the rise and growth of nationalism in Nigeria
i The Indirect Rule System
Definition – British governance through traditional native authorities under the supervision of colonial officers (Residents/District Officers)
Pioneered by Lord Lugard in Northern Nigeria (early 1900s)
In the North – Emirs retained judicial and tax‑collecting powers but answered to British Residents
In the West – partially successful; adapted through warrant chiefs (caused resistance)
In the East – failed because Igbo lacked traditional chiefs; led to the Aba Women’s Riot of 1929
Criticisms – preserved feudal elites, slowed modernization, promoted ethnic divisions
ii Nationalism – Rise, Growth and Effects
Definition – the movement demanding self‑government and independence from colonial rule
Early phase (1880s‑1920s) – cultural and protest groups (e.g., Lagos Auxiliary of the Aborigines’ Rights Protection Society)
Growth phase (1930s‑1940s) – newspapers, labor unions, youth movements (Nigerian Youth Movement)
Post‑WWII phase (1945‑1960) – mass nationalist parties (NCNC, AG, NPC)
Effects – accelerated constitutional reforms, increased political awareness, united ethnic groups against colonialism, led to independence in 1960
Lecture III – Constitutional Development in Nigeria (1914–1960)
Objectives
Trace the key constitutional changes from the amalgamation of Nigeria to independence
i 1914 Amalgamation
The merger of the Northern and Southern Protectorates into a single Nigeria by Lord Lugard
Purpose – administrative convenience and economic control
Consequence – united different ethnic groups artificially; laid foundation for later inter‑ethnic tensions
ii 1922 Clifford Constitution
Introduced elective principle – four seats in Legislative Council for Lagos and Calabar
Remained largely centralized; limited African representation
iii 1946 Richards Constitution
Introduced regionalism – three regions (North, West, East) with separate Houses of Assembly
Purpose – to promote unity but was imposed without consultation; sparked criticism from nationalists
iv 1951 Macpherson Constitution
Created a federal structure – central House of Representatives and regional legislatures
Provided for consultative process but still gave Governor general veto power
v 1954 Lyttleton Constitution
Established true federalism with full regional autonomy
Regions given control over land, health, education, local government
Introduced post of Premier in each region
Paved the way for self‑government in Eastern and Western regions (1957) and Northern region (1959)
vi 1960 Independence Constitution
Nigeria became a sovereign state within the Commonwealth
Queen Elizabeth II remained Head of State, represented by a Governor‑General
Prime Minister as head of government; federal system with three regions
Fundamental human rights enshrined
Lecture IV – Constitutional Development in Nigeria (1960 to Present)
Objectives
Describe the major constitutional changes after independence, including republican and military‑era constitutions
i 1963 Republican Constitution
Nigeria became a Federal Republic with a President as ceremonial Head of State
Prime Minister retained executive power
Removed the Queen and Privy Council; Supreme Court became final appellate court
ii 1979 Constitution (Second Republic)
Introduced presidential system – directly elected executive President, with veto powers, fixed four‑year term
Created federal capital territory (Abuja)
Enshrined separation of powers, checks and balances, and a bill of rights
iii 1989 Constitution (Third Republic – not fully implemented)
Retained presidential system but introduced two‑party system (NRC and SDP)
Suspended by military before take‑off
iv 1999 Constitution (Fourth Republic)
Drafted by the Abubakar military regime and adopted on May 29, 1999
Maintains presidential system, federal structure, and bicameral legislature (Senate and House of Representatives)
Includes chapters on fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy, fundamental rights, and creation of local governments
Amended several times (2010, 2018, 2023) to address electoral reforms, judicial autonomy, and other issues
Lecture V – Development of Political Parties in Nigeria
Objectives
Trace the evolution of political parties from the colonial era through the Fourth Republic
i Colonial and First Republic Political Parties
NNDP (Nigerian National Democratic Party) – 1923, Herbert Macaulay, dominated Lagos politics
NCNC (National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons) – 1944, Nnamdi Azikiwe, pan‑nationalist
AG (Action Group) – 1951, Obafemi Awolowo, Yoruba‑based, progressive
NPC (Northern People’s Congress) – 1949, Ahmadu Bello, Hausa‑Fulani dominated, conservative
Minor parties – NEPU (Northern Elements Progressive Union), UMBC (United Middle Belt Congress), NDC (Nigerian Democratic Party)
ii Second Republic Political Parties (1979–1983)
NPN (National Party of Nigeria) – Shehu Shagari, conservative, northern base
UPN (Unity Party of Nigeria) – Awolowo, socialist‑leaning, Yoruba base
NPP (Nigerian People’s Party) – Azikiwe, eastern base
GNPP (Great Nigeria People’s Party) – Waziri Ibrahim
PRP (People’s Redemption Party) – Aminu Kano, socialist, northern radical
NAP (Nigeria Advance Party) – Tunji Otegbeye, progressive
iii Third Republic Political Parties (1992–1993, not fully implemented)
NRC (National Republican Convention) – slightly conservative, Bashir Tofa
SDP (Social Democratic Party) – slightly left‑leaning, MKO Abiola
iv Fourth Republic Political Parties (1999–present)
PDP (People’s Democratic Party) – dominated from 1999 to 2015
AD (Alliance for Democracy) – Yoruba base, later merged
ANPP (All Nigeria People’s Party) – northern base
ACN (Action Congress of Nigeria) – progressive, later merged
CPC (Congress for Progressive Change) – Muhammadu Buhari’s party
APC (All Progressives Congress) – formed 2013 from merger of ACN, CPC, ANPP, and APGA faction, won presidential elections in 2015, 2019, 2023
APGA (All Progressives Grand Alliance) – Igbo‑based, holds influence in Anambra State
Other smaller parties – LP (Labour Party), NNPP (New Nigeria Peoples Party), etc
Lecture VI – Elections and Electoral Process in Nigeria
Objectives
Understand the historical background of Nigerian elections, types of electoral systems used, and major general elections
i Historical Background to Elections in Nigeria
Elections began under the 1922 Clifford Constitution (Lagos and Calabar)
Universal adult suffrage introduced in 1959 (limited property and literacy qualifications removed later)
ii Types of Electoral Systems in Nigeria
First‑past‑the‑post (simple majority) for presidential and legislative elections (1999–present)
Previously used plurality and run‑off systems in different republics
iii General Elections in Nigeria
1959 – pre‑independence; NPC won most seats, formed coalition government
1964 – marked by irregularities; led to political crisis
1979 – transition from military rule; NPN’s Shagari won
1983 – disputed elections; followed by military coup
1993 – annulled June 12 election (MKO Abiola of SDP vs Bashir Tofa of NRC)
1999 – return to democracy; PDP’s Obasanjo won
2003 – PDP maintained control
2007 – controversial; Umaru Yar’Adua declared winner (later annulled parts in court)
2011 – Goodluck Jonathan won; post‑election violence
2015 – first defeat of an incumbent (Jonathan lost to Buhari of APC)
iv Problems of Elections in Nigeria
Vote buying, ballot snatching, underage voting, falsification of results, political thuggery, ethnic and religious manipulation, judicial delays, poor voter education
v Electoral Institutions
FEDECO (1960s), NECON (1970s‑80s), NEC (1990s), INEC (1998‑present) – responsible for voter registration, election conduct, result declaration
Lecture VII – Major Political Crises in Nigeria
Objectives
Identify key political crises in Nigeria’s history and explain their causes and consequences
i Aba Women’s Riot of 1929
Protest by Igbo and Ibibio women against warrant chiefs and colonial taxation
Resulted in abolition of warrant chief system and increased female political activism
ii The Kano Riots of 1953
Clashes between northerners and southerners following a motion for self‑government in 1956
Led to the first major ethnic violence in independent Nigeria
iii Action Group Crisis of 1962
Split within the Action Group between Awolowo (opposition leader) and Akintola (Premier of Western Region)
Led to declaration of state of emergency in Western Region and imprisonment of Awolowo
iv The Census Crisis of 1962/63
Disputes over population figures – crucial for revenue and parliamentary seats
Two rival census counts (northern figures higher) led to mistrust and political instability
v Nigerian‑Biafran Civil War (1967‑1970)
Root causes – ethnic tensions, 1966 coups, killing of Igbos in the North, and Eastern Region’s secession as Biafra
War ended with Biafran surrender; millions died from fighting and starvation
vi Electoral Crises
June 12, 1993 – annulment of the freest election in Nigerian history; led to interim government and Abacha’s coup
2011 post‑election violence – thousands killed in northern cities over Jonathan’s victory
vii Niger Delta Crisis
Demand for resource control, environmental justice, and local development
Armed groups (MEND) attacked oil infrastructure; later amnesty program reduced violence
viii Boko Haram Terrorism
Islamist insurgency (since 2009) demanding Sharia law and rejecting Western education
Caused thousands of deaths, displacement, and regional security crisis
Lecture VIII – Military Rule in Nigeria
Objectives
Examine the causes, structure, regimes, achievements, failures, and disengagement of military rule
i Background to Military Rule
First coup – January 15, 1966 (Ironsi) followed by counter‑coup July 1966 (Gowon)
Military ruled from 1966‑1979 and 1983‑1999
ii Structure of Military Regime
Supreme Military Council (SMC) or Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC) as highest legislative body
Head of State (military officer) with executive powers, state governors appointed (military or civilian)
iii Reasons for Military Intervention
Political corruption, electoral fraud, ethnic polarization, economic mismanagement, breakdown of law and order, elite rivalry
iv Military Regimes in Nigeria
Ironsi (Jan‑July 1966) – unitary decree (Decree No 34), overthrown
Gowon (1966‑1975) – kept Nigeria united during civil war; created states; delayed transition
Muritala Mohammed (July 1975‑Feb 1976) – anti‑corruption, started transition to civil rule; assassinated
Obasanjo (1976‑1979) – completed transition, handed over to Shagari
Buhari/Idiagbon (1983‑1985) – War Against Indiscipline (WAI), strict economy; overthrown by Babangida
Babangida (1985‑1993) – SAP and IMF loans, annulled June 12 election; stepped down after chaos
Abacha (1993‑1998) – most repressive, executed Ken Saro‑Wiwa, jailed Obasanjo; died in office
Abdulsalami Abubakar (1998‑1999) – brief transition, new constitution, elections, handover to Obasanjo
v Achievements of Military Rule
Creation of states (from 4 to 36), establishment of local governments, building infrastructure (roads, universities), anti‑corruption campaigns (e.g., WAI), maintaining unity after civil war
vi Failures of Military Rule
Human rights abuses, suspension of constitution, media repression, economic mismanagement, debt accumulation, corruption within ranks, prolonged transition promises
vii Military Disengagement – Transition to Civil Rule Programmes
Gowon’s “return to civil rule” delayed; Muritala/Obasanjo’s four‑stage programme (1975‑1979) – constitution drafting, state/local elections, national assembly elections, presidential election
Babangida’s transition programme (1986‑1993) – two‑party system, but annulled June 12
Abacha’s charade – contested transition to self‑succession
Abdulsalami’s fast‑track transition (1998‑1999) – new constitution, elections, handover
Lecture IX – Nigerian Foreign Policy
Objectives
Explain the history, objectives, determinants, and evaluation of Nigeria’s foreign policy under different regimes
i History and Objectives
Pre‑independence – focused on anti‑colonial solidarity
1960‑1966 – African centrepiece policy (“Africa as the centrepiece of Nigeria’s foreign policy”)
Objectives – African unity, decolonization, non‑alignment, economic cooperation, protection of Nigerian citizens abroad
ii National Interest and Its Determinants
National interest – preservation of security, economic well‑being, regional power status, prestige
Determinants – size and population (largest in Africa), oil wealth, military capacity, historical leadership in Africa
iii Determinants of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy
Internal – ethnic diversity, economic constraints, public opinion
External – African liberation movements, Cold War pressures, role of ECOWAS, UN, AU, Commonwealth
iv Evaluation of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy by Regimes
First Republic (Balewa) – moderate, pro‑West, non‑interventionist
Gowon – participated in UN, supported liberation movements (ANC, PAIGC), contributed to peacekeeping
Murtala/Obasanjo (1975‑1979) – radical shift; supported MPLA in Angola, condemned apartheid, nationalized British Petroleum
Second Republic (Shagari) – pragmatic, economic diplomacy, but accused of passivity
Babangida – chaired ECOWAS, led ECOMOG into Liberia (1990), expelled over 1 million West African migrants
Abacha – pariah regime under sanctions; executed Ogoni activists; diplomatic isolation
Obasanjo (1999‑2007) – restored democracy, active in AU and UN, foreign debt relief, anti‑corruption image
Yar’Adua/Jonathan (2007‑2015) – amnesty for Niger Delta, continued regional leadership
Buhari (2015‑2023) – pro‑African, border closure with Benin, anti‑corruption drive, but criticized on human rights
Lecture X – Summary and Revision of GOV 003
Objectives
Review all key themes, events, and institutions in Nigerian government and politics
i Thematic Review
Pre‑colonial diversity (Hausa/Fulani, Yoruba, Igbo) – shaped modern federalism
Colonial indirect rule – created uneven development and regional identities
Constitutional evolution – from amalgamation (1914) to 1999 constitution
Party system – from regional parties (NCNC, AG, NPC) to dominant PDP, then APC
Elections – chronic problems but gradual improvement (2015 peaceful transfer)
Crises – civil war, June 12, Niger Delta, Boko Haram – all tested state resilience
Military rule – 29 years of coups, but eventually returned to democracy
Foreign policy – consistently Africa‑centred, with occasional activism
ii Key Personalities
Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello, Tafawa Balewa, Yakubu Gowon, Murtala Mohammed, Olusegun Obasanjo, Shehu Shagari, Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Babangida, Sani Abacha, MKO Abiola, Goodluck Jonathan, Bola Tinubu
iii Key Institutions
INEC (elections), National Assembly (legislature), Supreme Court (judiciary), Federal Executive Council, Local government councils
iv Examination Tips
Compare pre‑colonial systems, trace constitutional changes chronologically, link military intervention to electoral failures, know political parties by republic, explain causes of major crises (civil war, June 12, Boko Haram), evaluate Nigeria’s foreign policy using specific examples.