Guide to Nigerian Legal Information

Yemisi Dina, B.A, M.A, LL.B, MLIS, MPPAL is Chief Law Librarian at the Osgoode Hall Law Library, York University, Ontario, Canada. She was formerly Head of Public Services at the Osgoode Hall Law School, York University and worked as Law Librarian at the Adeola Odutola Law Library, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria and Principal Librarian at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus, Nigeria. Her areas of research include law librarianship, legal research methods and information technology and law.

1. Introduction

The Federal Republic of Nigeria is located in the Western part of Africa. It became an independent state on October 1, 1960, after about 100 years under British colonization, and attained a republican status within the British Commonwealth three years after in 1963. Since independence, Nigeria has come under both military and civil administration. The coming into force of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 on May 29, 1999, ushered in the present democratic dispensation, popularly referred to as “the Fourth Republic.” On this day, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, a retired Army General and a one-time military Head of State (February 13, 1976 to September 30, 1979), became the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria following his victory in the presidential election conducted in 1999 as the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party. President Olusegun Obasanjo’s ruling party, the People’s Democratic Party, also won the second term after another general election in April 2003. On April 21, 2007, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, the Governor of Katsina State in Northwestern Nigeria between 1999 and 2007, and the flag bearer of the People’s Democratic Party, was declared winner of the presidential election and he was subsequently sworn into office as President on May 29, 2007. Dr. Jonathan Ebele Jonathan, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s Vice President, was sworn in as President following the death of Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua on May 5, 2011. He contested the presidential election in 2011 as the candidate of the ruling People’s Democratic Party and was sworn in as President on May 29, 2011. The current President and Head of State is Muhammadu Buhari. He was sworn on May 29, 2015 as the 15th post-Independence Head of Government. He won the presidential election held in April 2015 as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) defeating the incumbent President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan of the People’s Democratic Party. Muhammadu Buhari is a retired general of the Nigerian Army and was Head of State from December 31, 1983 to August 27, 1985. In spite of the fact that Nigeria is experiencing its longest period of uninterrupted civilian administration (since May 29, 1999), the country may rightly be said to be in its tender years of democracy in view of the fact that 28 of Nigeria’s post-independence years were spent under the military.

The Federal Republic of Nigeria is made up of 36 states and a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) located in Abuja. The states and their capital cities are as follows:

STATE	CAPITAL CITY
Abia	Umuahia
Adamawa	Yola
Akwa Ibom	Uyo
Anambra	Awka
Bauchi	Bauchi
Bayelsa	Yenagoa
Benue	Makurdi
Borno	Maiduguri
Cross-River	Calabar
Delta	Asaba
Ebonyi	Abakaliki
Edo	Benin City
Ekiti	Ado-Ekiti
Enugu	Enugu
Gombe	Gombe
Imo	Owerri
Jigawa	Dutse
Kaduna	Kaduna
Kano	Kano
Katsina	Katsina
Kebbi	Birnin Kebbi
Kogi	Lokoja
Kwara	Ilorin
Lagos	Ikeja
Nassarawa	Lafia
Niger	Minna
Ogun	Abeokuta
Ondo	Akure
Osun	Osogbo
Oyo	Ibadan
Plateau	Jos
Rivers	Port Harcourt
Sokoto	Sokoto
Taraba	Jalingo
Yobe	Damaturu
Zamfara	Gusau

 

At independence, Nigeria consisted of three regions, namely, the Northern Region, the Eastern Region and the Western Region. Apart from the Mid-Western Region which was carved out of the Western Region in 1964 through the process laid down by the 1963 Republican Constitution, the other five subsequent exercises of creation of states were undertaken by the Military. Because of the multiplicity of these states, they are as a matter of convenience and political expediency grouped into the six geo-political zones of North East, North West, North Central, South East, South West and South South. This grouping has not been accorded any constitutional recognition.

There are close to 400 linguistic groups in Nigeria, but the three major languages are Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba, while English is the official language.

2. Legal System

The Nigerian legal system is based on the English common law legal tradition by virtue of colonization and the attendant incidence of reception of English law through the process of legal transplant. According to Obilade (1979) English law has a tremendous influence on the Nigerian legal system, and “English law forms a substantial part of Nigerian law.” The sources of Nigerian law are:

• The Constitution
• Legislation
• English law
• Customary law
• Islamic law
• Judicial precedents

2.1. Constitution

The current constitution is the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999. The 1999 Nigerian Constitution came into force on May 29, 1999. The 1999 Constitution has been amended three times, all in 2010. The first two amendments deal largely with political issues while the third version makes provisions for the establishment of the National Industrial Court as a superior court of record. Efforts are ongoing to further amend the 1999 Nigerian Constitution. The 1999 Nigerian Constitution provides the framework for the administration of both the Federal Government of Nigeria as well as the states. No state may therefore adopt its own constitution unlike what obtained until the incursion of the military in government in Nigeria in 1966. The Constitution is supreme, and its provisions have binding force on all authorities and persons throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

2.2. Legislation

The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, regulates the distribution of legislative business between the National Assembly, which has power to make laws for the Federation and the House of Assembly for each State of the Federation. The current legislation in force at the federal level is largely contained in the 16 volume Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 (LFN). The Laws of the Federation of Nigeria is printed in loose-leaf in-binder format and it is also available in CD-ROM. The Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 contains the federal laws including subsidiary legislation in force on the 31st day of December 2002. Before the law revision exercise that culminated in the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, the laws in force at the federal level were found in the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990 (LFN) and the Annual Volumes of the Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 1990 to 2002. Federal laws enacted since January 2003 are contained in the Annual Volumes of the Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They are also incorporated into the subsequent issues of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria published from time to time. In May 2007 the National Assembly enacted the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) Act, 2007 to give effect and approval to the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria compiled and published under the authority of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

Each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja has its own laws. These include laws on residual matters, which are within the exclusive legislative competence of states and matters on the concurrent legislative list. Some states periodically undertake law revision exercises to present their laws in a compact and comprehensive form to guarantee easy access.

Primary and subordinate legislation in force on the coming into force of the Constitution are treated by the Constitution as existing laws and deemed to have been made by the appropriate legislative body with competence to do so under the 1999 Nigerian Constitution. Legislation has been described as the most important source of Nigerian law after the Constitution. This is partly because all other sources of Nigerian law are considered as such by virtue of a piece of legislation or the other.

2.3. English Law

This consists of:

(a) The received English law comprising of:

• the common law
• the doctrines of equity
• statutes of general application in force in England on January 1, 1900
• statutes and subsidiary legislation on specified matters

(b) English law (statutes) made before October 1, 1960 and extending to Nigeria which are not yet repealed. Laws made by the local colonial legislature are treated as part of Nigerian legislation. The failure to review most of these laws especially in the field of criminal law has occasioned the existence of what may be described as impracticable laws or legal provisions which are honored more in breach than in observance. Despite the influence of English Law, the Nigerian legal system is very complex because of legal pluralism.

2.4. Customary Law

The traditional classification of customary law is into the following categories:

• Ethnic / Non-Moslem
• Moslem law/ Sharia

In the states in the Southern part of the country, Moslem/Islamic law, where it exists, is integrated into and has always been treated as an aspect of the customary law. Since 1956, however, Islamic law has been administered in the Northern states as a separate and distinct system. Even then, until recently, it has only been in relation to Muslim personal law. However, it is better to accord Islamic law its distinct status as a separate source of law because of its peculiarities in terms of origin, nature and territorial and personal scope of application.

2.4.1. Ethnic/Non-Moslem Law

The ethnic customary law is the indigenous law that applies to the members of the different ethnic groups. Nigeria is made up of several ethnic groups each with its own variety of customary law. Customary law is a system of law that reflects the culture, customs, values and habits of the people whose activities it regulates. It has been described as a mirror of accepted usage. Customary law is particularly dominant in the area of personal and family relations like marriage, divorce, guardianship and custody of children and succession. Naturally, differences in the customary laws of different ethnic groups do exist and this must not be taken for granted. Even within an ethnic group, instances of pockets of differences in aspects of customary law are noticeable. For example, the marriage customs and inheritance rules of the Igbos of the South Eastern Nigeria are different from those of the Yorubas of the South Western Nigeria. Beyond this, the customary values and systems of various Yoruba sub-ethnic groups are bound to be different even if they are in the same State. Unfortunately, ethnic customary law is unwritten, uncertain and difficult to ascertain. It is flexible and has the capacity to adapt to social and economic changes without losing its character. There have been instances of legislative interventions to modify and at times abrogate rules of customary law. Customary law is usually enforced in customary courts, the courts at the lowest rung of the hierarchy of courts, which in most cases are presided over by non-legally trained personnel, though higher courts are equally permitted to observe and to enforce the observance of rules of customary law by their enabling laws. It is to be noted the bulk of causes on the Cause List of customary courts, especially in South Western Nigeria, are matters relating to the dissolution of traditional marriages.

2.4.2. Islamic Law/Sharia/Moslem Law

Islamic law, unlike ethnic customary law, is written. Its principles are clearly defined and articulated. This system of law has worked with detailed thoroughness and incisive precision. It is based on the Islamic religion and was introduced into Nigeria by its practitioners as a consequence of a successful process of Islamization. This system of law is based on the Holy Koran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad. In some areas, Islamic law after its introduction completely supplanted the pre-existing system of customary laws whereas in other areas, it became incorporated with customary law and the two systems have become fused and are jointly administered. Islamic law is being enforced in some states of Nigeria especially in the Northern part where populations are predominantly Moslem. The scope of operation of Islamic law has broadened since the introduction of the Sharia legal system in the present democratic dispensation in a number of Northern states such as Zamfara, Kano, Kaduna, and Sokoto among others. The principal feature of this new development is the introduction of religious based criminal offences, especially on matters of morality and the introduction of punishments sanctioned by the Koran. The apex court, the Supreme Court of Nigeria, has not had the opportunity to pronounce on the constitutionality of punishments like amputation and stoning of a person to death, which the Sharia prescribes for certain offences.

2.5. Judicial Precedents

The Supreme Court is the highest court of the land. It replaced the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in 1963 as the final court of appeal. The Court of Appeal (originally known as the Federal Court of Appeal) was established in 1976 as a national penultimate court to entertain appeals from the High Courts, which are the trial courts of general jurisdiction. The Court of Appeal sits in Judicial Divisions in locations throughout the country; but it is still a single court and is ordinarily bound by its own decisions. The Court of Appeal and all lower courts are bound by the decisions of this Supreme Court. The High Courts and other courts of coordinate and subordinate jurisdiction are equally bound by the decisions of the Court of Appeal. The doctrine of judicial precedents does not apply rigidly to certain courts like the customary/area courts and the Sharia courts in Nigeria.

Figure 1: Judicial System (depicting an illustration of the Nigerian Judicial System)

In states with Customary Courts of Appeal, appeals generally go to Customary Courts of Appeal on questions of customary law and to the High Court in other cases, whereas in some states, appeals go to the Magistrates Court from the Customary Court. Often these states do not have the Customary Court of Appeal. However, it is through the process of application for judicial review (certiorari) that the judgments of Customary Courts are questioned before High Courts in states without a Customary Court of Appeal.

Appeals from Area Courts may go either to the High Courts or the Sharia Court of Appeal depending on the way the courts are organized. In states with or without Sharia Court of Appeal, appeals lie from Area Courts to Customary Court of Appeal on matters of customary law if there is a Customary Court of Appeal in the state.

Notwithstanding the federal status of Nigeria, the federal and the state court systems are not in two parallel lines. It is only to a limited extent that it may be asserted that each state has its own legal system, as it will be shown below.

3. Government Bodies

The system of government in the Federal Republic of Nigeria is modeled after the American presidential system with the following arms of government:

• The Legislature
• The Executive
• The Judiciary

3.1. Legislature

The Federal Legislature, referred to as the National Assembly, is responsible for law making and it follows law making procedures as specified in Sections 58 and 59 of the 1999 Constitution. The legislature is bicameral and made up of the Senate and House of Representatives.

The Senate consists of 109 elected members while the House of Representatives has 360 members. The membership of the Senate is based on equality of states with each state having three Senators. The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is represented by one senator. The number of Representatives elected by each State is determined based on population.

Each state also has its own law-making organ known as the House of Assembly. The members elected into the Houses of Assembly represent the various state constituencies usually delineated based on population. All legislators are elected for a 4-year term, though the electorates reserve the power to recall any legislator.

3.2. Executive

The executive power of the Federation is vested in the President by virtue of Section 5(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution. Such powers can be exercised directly or through the Vice-President or Ministers or officers of the Government. Similarly, in the states, the executive power of a state is vested in the Governor and may be exercised directly by the Governor or through the Deputy Governor, Commissioners or other public officers. See the Nigerian constitution for the functions of the Executive.

3.3. Judiciary

By virtue of Section 6 (1) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999, as amended, the following courts are established in the Federal Republic of Nigeria:

• the Supreme Court of Nigeria
• the Court of Appeal
• the Federal High Court
• the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja
• a High Court of a State
• the National Industrial Court
• the Sharia Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja
• a Sharia Court of Appeal of a State
• the Customary Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja
• a Customary Court of Appeal of a State. The courts established by the Constitution are the only superior courts of record in Nigeria. The Constitution empowers the National Assembly and the Houses of Assembly to establish courts with subordinate jurisdiction to the High Courts. Courts established pursuant to the Constitution are invariably inferior courts of record notwithstanding the status of the officer presiding in the courts

The Supreme Court is the highest court and all decisions from the court are binding on all other courts. In Nigeria, the state court structure dovetails into the federal court structure at the level of the Court of Appeal. The Court of Appeal entertains appeals from the decisions of the High Courts, the Sharia Courts of Appeal and the Customary Courts of Appeal. Appeals from the decisions of the Court of Appeal go to the Supreme Court. In effect the Supreme Court is not only a Supreme Court on federal matters, it is also the final court in respect of state laws.

However, in terms of administrative responsibility, State High Courts are the most important courts in each state. This assertion is strengthened because whereas the Constitution has established a High Court for each State directly, each state has an option to establish a Sharia Court of Appeal or a Customary Court of Appeal or both. The inferior courts, which are established by legislation made pursuant to the powers conferred by constitutional provisions, pursuant to constitutional provisions, include Magistrate Courts, District Courts, Area/Sharia Courts, and Customary Courts. By and large, these courts are established by State Laws, except for the Federal Capital Territory and the judicial hierarchy and the nomenclatures of inferior courts are dissimilar. The High Courts and other specialized courts exercise supervisory and appellate jurisdiction over the inferior courts.

4. Primary & Secondary Sources of Information

Like all jurisdictions of the world, legal literature of the Nigeria is made up of primary and secondary sources. The list of these materials is non-exhaustive. A number of them are available at the Library of Congress, the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, London, leading academic and research libraries all over the world.

4.1. Primary Sources

Many law reports have been published over the years in Nigeria. However, there is no government organ solely responsible for law reporting. There are many commercial law reports even though their life span is rather epileptic because of the prohibitive costs of production.

4.1.1. Law Reports

The following is a list of law reports:

• All Federation Weekly Law Reports (All FWLR) (Renaissance Law Publishers)
• All Nigeria Law Reports (All NLR) (Published by Lexis Nexis South Africa)
• Appellate Courts Landmark Cases (ACLC) (St. Paul’s Publishing House, Ibadan)
• Commercial Law Reports (CLR) (Ajumogobia & Okeke, Lagos)
• Constitutional Law Classicus (CLC) (St. Paul’s Publishing House, Ibadan)
• Court of Appeal Reports (CA) (Laurels & Prizes Law Publications)
• Criminal Appeal Cases (CAR) (St. Paul’s Publishing House, Ibadan)
• Law Reports of the Eastern Region of Nigeria (LRERN) (Defunct)
• Election Petition Reports (Funmi Quadri & Co., Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria)
• Erudite Judgements of the Supreme Courts (Legal Jurisprudence Ltd.) change to ejsconline.com
• Failed Banks Tribunal of Nigeria Law Reports (Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, Garki- Abuja)
• Federal Reporter (FR) (Funmi Quadri & Co., Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria)
• Federation of Nigeria Law Reports (FNLR) (Evans Brothers (Nigeria Publishers) Limited)
• Federation Weekly Law Reports (FWLR) (New Century Law Publishers Limited, Lagos)
• Intellectual Property Law Reports (IPLR) (Alexander Payne & Co., Lagos)
• Investment & Securities Law Reports (Mark Anthony Publications Ltd, Abuja, FCT)
• Judgments of Nigerian Superior Courts (JNSC) (Finlay Lawtext Publishers Ltd., Abuja, FCT)
• Juriscope Monthly Law Reports (JMLR) (Lawquest Publishing Company Limited)
• Lagos Law Reports (LLR) (A publication of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice Law Review Series)
• Land Law Appeal Cases (LLAC) (St. Paul’s Publishing House, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria)
• Law Reports of Nigeria (LRN)
• Locus Classicus (Funmi Quadri & Co., Abuja, Federal Capital Territory)
• Monthly Judgments of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (MJSCN) (Florence & Lambert (Nig) Limited, Lagos)
• Nigeria Law Report (NLR) (Defunct)
• Nigerian Commercial Law Cases (ALR) (Comm.)
• Nigerian Constitutional Law Reports (NCLR) (Nigerian Law Publications Ltd, Lagos)
• Nigerian Criminal Cases (Funmi Quadri & Co., Abuja, Federal Capital Territory)
• Nigerian Labour Law Reports (NLLR) (Rocheba Law Publishers Lagos)
• Nigerian Labour Law Reports Blogpost
• Nigerian Monthly Law Reports (NMLR) (Optimum Law Publishers Limited, Lagos)
• Nigerian Oil and Gas Cases (LexisNexis and Uche Nwokedi and Co)
• Nigerian Revenue Law Reports (NRLR) (ASCO Publishers, Lagos)
• Nigerian Supreme Court Cases (NSCC) (Deji Sasegbon & Co., Lagos.)
• Nigerian Supreme Court Quarterly Law Reports (NSCQLR) (Funmi Quadri & Co., Abuja, Federal Capital Territory)
• Nigerian Weekly Law Reports (NWLR) (Nigerian Law Publications Limited, Lagos)
• Northern Region of Nigeria Law Reports (NRNLR) (Defunct)
• Quarterly Law Reports of Nigeria (QLRN) (University Press Ltd., Ibadan)
• Selected Judgments of the West African Court of Appeal (WACA) (Defunct)
• Selected Matrimonial Cases (Funmi Quadri & Co., Abuja, Federal Capital Territory)
• Sharia Law Reports of Nigeria (Spectrum, Ibadan)
• Supreme Court Judgments on Evidence (SCJE) (Alexander Payne & Co., Lagos)
• Supreme Court Judgments on Lands (SCJL) (Alexander Payne & Co., Lagos)
• Supreme Court Monthly (SCM) (St. Paul’s Publishing House, Ibadan)
• Supreme Court of Nigeria Judgments (SCNJ) (Liberty Publishers, Kaduna)
• Supreme Court Reports (SC) (Published by Lawbreed Limited, Lagos)
• Telecommunications Law Reports (Mark Anthony Publications Ltd, City Plaza, Abuja Federal Capital Territory)
• Weekly Reports of Nigeria (WRN) (Legal Text Publishing Co. Ltd, Ikeja, Lagos)
• Western Region of Nigeria Law Reports (WRNLR) (Defunct)

4.1.2. Online Services

The following organizations make available legislation and cases or both on their websites:

• Gazettes Africa – This website provides access to digitized versions of official gazettes of Nigeria 1957 – 2019. This is an ongoing project.
• International Centre for Nigerian Law – This organization provides free access to some Nigerian legislation and cases.
• Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) – PLAC is a non-profit capacity building organization. Their website provides access to digitized volumes of selected laws from the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, Senate and House of Representatives proceedings.
• Toma Micro Publishers – This is an online subscription service for case law and legislation.

4.1.3. Newspapers

Some Nigerian daily newspapers have a comprehensive section for law reporting and other legal matters (especially unreported judgments) as listed below:

• The Guardian (Tuesdays)
• This Day (Tuesdays)
• The Vanguard (Fridays)

4.2. Secondary Sources

Members of Nigerian academia, the bench, and the bar have written a lot of legal textbooks. This list is not exhaustive, but we will attempt to mention a few of them.

Administrative Law

• Borokini, A.A. & Olong, M.A., Administrative Law in Nigeria. 2nd ed. Ilorin: Oluwole Printing Press, 2006.
• Iluyomade, B. O., & Eka, B. U., Cases and Materials on Administrative Law in Nigeria. Ife: University of Ife Press, 1980.
• Ojo, J.D., Law and University Administration in Nigeria. Lagos: Malthouse Press, 1990.
• Olong, A., Administrative Law in Nigeria. Lagos: Malthouse Law Books. 2007.
• Oyebode, A., Law and Nation-Building in Nigeria: Selected Essays. Lagos: Centre for Political and Administrative Research (CEPAR), 2005.
• Oyewo, A.T., The Law of Local Government in Nigeria. Ibadan: Jator Publishing Company, 1991.

Arbitration Law

• Candide-Johnson & Shasore, O., Commercial Arbitration Law and International Practice in Nigeria. LexisNexis, 2012.
• Ezejiofor, G., The Law of Arbitration in Nigeria. Ikeja: Longman Nigeria Plc, 1997.
• Orojo, J. O., & Ajomo, M. A., Law and Practice of Arbitration and Conciliation in Nigeria. Lagos: Mbeyi & Associates Nig. Ltd, 2009.
• Principles of Negotiation and Mediation edited by E. Azinge & C. Ani. Lagos: Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, 2012.

Civil Procedure

• Modern Civil Procedure Law edited by A. F. Afolayan & P. C. Okorie. Lagos: Dee-Sage Nigeria Limited, 2007.

Commercial Law

• Adesanya, M.O. and Oloyede E.O., Business Law in Nigeria, Lagos & London: University of Lagos & Evans Brothers Limited, 1972
• Akanki, E.O. Commercial Law in Nigeria Lagos: University of Lagos Press. 2005.
• Commercial Law in Nigeria edited by E. O. Akanki, Lagos: University of Lagos Press. 2005.
• Etomi, G. Introduction to Commercial Law in Nigeria. Lagos: MIJ Publishers, 2014.
• Kenna Associates, Legal and Regulatory Aspects of Commercial Issues in Doing Business in Nigeria. Lagos: Commercial Law Development, 2007.
• Smith, I. O., Nigerian Law of Secured Credit. Lagos: Ecowatch Publications (Nigeria) Limited, 2001.
• Uvieghara, E.E., Sale of Goods (and hire-purchase) Law in Nigeria. Lagos: Malthouse Press, 1996.

Conflict of Laws

• Agbede, I. O., Themes on Conflict of Laws. Ibadan: Shaneson, 1989

Constitutional Law

• Akande, J.O. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 with annotations. Lagos: MIJ Professional Publishers, 1999.
• Edeko, S.E., Fundamental Issues in Nigerian Constitutional Law. Benin City: Anointed Tesa Printing Press, 2002.
• Malemi, E., The Nigerian Constitutional Law, 3rd ed. Lagos: Princeton Publishing Co., 2012.
• Mowoe, K. M., Constitutional Law in Nigeria. Lagos: Malthouse Press, 2008.
• Nwabueze, B. O., Federalism in Nigeria under the Presidential Constitution. London: Sweet & Maxwell, 1983.
• Nwabueze, B. O., Ideas and Facts in Constitution-Making. Ibadan: Spectrum Books Limited, 1993.
• Nwabueze, B. O., The Machinery of Justice in Nigeria. London: Butterworths, 1963.
• Nwabueze, B., Constitutional Democracy in Africa Vol. 1-5. Ibadan: Spectrum, 2004.
• Ojo, A., Constitutional Law and Military Rule in Nigeria. Ibadan: Evans Brothers (Nigeria Publishers) Ltd., 1987.
• Oluyede, P. A., & Aihe, D.O., Cases and Materials on Constitutional Law in Nigeria. Ibadan: University Press, 2003.
• Oyewo, O., Constitutional Law in Nigeria. 2nd ed. The Netherlands: Kluwer International, 2019.

Contract Law

• Ezike, E. Nigerian Contract Law. Durban: Lexis Nexis, 2015.
• Sagay, I., Nigerian Law of Contract. Ibadan: Spectrum Books Limited, 2000.

Corporate Law

• Asomugha, E. M., Company Law in Nigeria under the Companies and Allied Matters Act. Lagos: Toma Micro Publishers Ltd., 1994.
• Dada, J. A., Principles of Nigerian Company Law. Calabar: Wusen Publishers, 2011.
• Emiola, A., Nigerian Company Law. Ogbomosho: Emiola (Publishers) Limited, 2007
• Emiola, A., The Law of Partnership, Ogbomoso: Emiola (Publishers) Limited, 2003.
• Essays on Company Law edited by E.O. Akanki, Lagos: University of Lagos Press, 1992.
• Ola, C.S., Company Law in Nigeria. Ibadan: Heinemann Educational Books (Nig.), 2002.
• Olawoyin, C. A. Status and Duties of Company Directors. Ile-Ife: University of Ife Press, 1977.
• Orojo, J. O., Company Law and Practice in Nigeria. 5th ed. Butterworth: LexisNexis: 2008.

Criminal Law

• Adesiyan, D.O., An accused person’s rights in Nigerian criminal law. Ibadan: Heinemann Educational Books (Nigeria), 1996.
• Aguda, T. A. The Criminal Law and Procedure of the Southern States of Nigeria. 3rd ed., London: Sweet & Maxwell, 1982.
• Arowosaiye, I. Y., Economic crimes and ICT: Response of the Nigerian Criminal Law. Saarbrücken LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing, 2014.
• Chukkol, K. S., Defences to criminal liability in Nigerian law: a critical appraisal. Zaria: Ahmadu Bello University Press, 1980.
• Chukkol, K. S., The Law of Crimes in Nigeria. Zaria: Ahmadu Bello University Press, 1988.
• Dambazau, A. B., Law and criminality in Nigeria: an analytical discourse. Ibadan: University Press, 1994.
• Karibi-Whyte, A. G., Criminal Policy: Traditional & Modern Trends. Lagos, Nigeria: Nigerian Law Publications, 1988.
• Karibi-Whyte, A. G., Groundwork of Nigerian Criminal Law. Lagos: Nigerian Law Publications, 1986.
• Karibi-Whyte, A.G., History and Sources of Nigerian Criminal Law. Ibadan: Spectrum Books Limited, 1993.
• Madarikan C.O. and Aguda, T. A., Brett and McLean’s The Criminal Law and Procedure of the Six Southern States of Nigeria. London: Sweet & Maxwell, 1982.
• Momodu, B., Law and Practice of Criminal Investigation and Prosecution in Nigeria. Ibadan: Stirling Horden Publishers (Nig.) Ltd., 2007.
• Okeyode-Adesina, A., Guide to the Development of Criminal Justice System in Nigeria. Ibadan: University Press PLC, 2014.
• Okonkwo, C. O., Okonkwo and Naish: Criminal Law in Nigeria. 2nd ed., Ibadan: Spectrum Books Limited, 1990.
• Ola, C.S., Criminal Responsibilities and Defences under the Nigerian Law Lagos: CSS Ltd., 2001.
• Ola, C.S., Mens rea in Statutory Offences in Nigeria. Lagos: Malthouse Press, 1990.
• Owoade, M. A., Law of homicide in Nigeria. Ile-Ife, Nigeria: Obafemi Awolowo University Press, 1990.
• Principles of Criminal Liability in Nigerian Law. 2nd ed., edited by T. Akinola Aguda & Isabella Okagbue, Ibadan: Heinemann Educational Books Nigeria PLC, 1990.

Criminal Procedure

• Babalola, Afe Injunctions and Enforcement of Orders. Ile-Ife: Obafemi Awolowo University Press, 2000.
• Babalola, Afe Enforcement of Judgments. Ibadan: Afe Babalola, 2003.
• Doherty, O., Criminal Procedure in Nigeria: Law and Practice. London: Blackstone, 1990.
• Nwadialo, F., The Criminal Procedure of the Southern States of Nigeria. 2nd ed., Lagos: MIJ Professional Publishers Limited, 1987.
• Zalman, M., Cases and materials on the law of criminal procedure in the northern states of Nigeria, with a chapter on confessions by Greta Zalman. Zaria: Ahmadu Bello University, 1969.

Cultural Heritage Law

• Shyllon, F., Cultural Heritage Law and Management in Africa. Lagos: Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization, 2013.

Customary Law

• Anyebe, A.P. Customary law: the war without arms. Enugu, Nigeria: Fourth Dimension Publishers, 1985.
• · Badaiki, A. D. Development of Customary Law, 2nd ed. Lagos: Tiken Publishers, 2001.
• Elias, T.O., The Nature of African Customary Law. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1956
• Emiola, A., Emiola’s African Customary Law. 3rd. ed., Ogbomoso: Emiola (Publishers) Limited, 2011.
• Okany, M.C., The Role of Customary Courts in Nigeria. Enugu: Fourth Dimensions Publishers, 1984.
• Towards a Restatement of Nigerian Customary Laws edited by Y. Osinbajo & A.U. Kalu, Lagos: Federal Ministry of Justice, 1991.

Law of Equity

• Jegede, M.I., Principles of Equity. Benin City: Ethiope Publishing Corp., 1981.
• Kodilinye, G., An Introduction to the Law of Equity in Nigeria. London: Sweet & Maxwell, 1975.

Election Law

• Babalola, Afe Election Law and Practice Ibadan: Afe Babalola, 2003.

Environmental Law

• Amokaye, G. Oludayo, Environmental Law and Practice in Nigeria. Lagos: University of Lagos Press, 2004.
• Ikomi, U.D., An Introduction to Nigerian Environmental Law. Lagos: Malthouse Press, 2010.
• Ladan, M. T., Laws, Cases and Policies on Energy, Mineral Resources, Climate Change, Environment, Water, Maritime and Human Rights in Nigeria. Zaria: Ahmadu Bello University Press, 2009.
• Law and Climate Change in Nigeria edited by W. O. Egbewole, M. A. Etudaiye, & O. A. Olatunji. Ilorin: Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin, 2011.
• Ndukwe, O.U., Elements of Nigerian Environmental Laws. Calabar: University of Calabar Press, 2000.
• Okorodudu-Fubara, M.T., Law of Environmental Protection: Materials and Text. Ibadan: Caltop Publication, 1998.
• Ola, C.S., Town and Country Planning and Environmental Laws in Nigeria Ibadan: Evans Brothers Ltd., 1987.
• The Law and the Environment in Nigeria edited by F. Shyllon. Ibadan: Vantage Publishers, 1989.
• Usman, A. K., Environmental Protection Law and Practice. Ibadan: Ababa Press, 2012.
• Worika, I.L., Environmental Law and Policy of Petroleum Development: Strategies and Mechanisms for Sustainable Development in Africa. Port Harcourt: Anpez Centre for Environment and Development, 2002.

Evidence Law

• Aguda, T. A. The Law of Evidence. 3rd ed., Ibadan: Spectrum Books Limited, 1989.
• Babalola Afe et al, Law and Practice of Evidence in Nigeria. Ibadan: Sibon Books Limited, 2001.
• Dean, W. H., Evidence in Nigerian criminal law. London: Sweet & Maxwell, 1964.
• Nwadialo, F., Modern Nigerian Law of Evidence, 2nd ed. Lagos: University of Lagos Press, 1999.
• Okekeifere, A.I., Circumstantial Evidence in Nigerian Law. Port Harcourt: Lawhouse Books, 2000.
• Osinbajo, Y., Cases and Materials on Nigerian Law of Evidence. Lagos: Macmillan, 1992.
• Uzo, I. D., Law and Practice on Documentary Evidence. Enugu: Digest Publishing Co., 2002.

Family Law

• Adesanya, S.A., Laws of Matrimonial Causes. Ibadan: Ibadan University Press, 1973.
• Coker, G.B.A., Family Property among the Yorubas. 2nd ed., London, Sweet & Maxwell, 1966.
• Nwogugu, E.O., Family Law in Nigeria. Ibadan: Heinemann Educational Books (Nigeria), 2014.
• Obi, S.N.C., Modern Family Law in Southern Nigeria. London: Sweet & Maxwell, 1966.
• Osondu, A. C., Modern Nigerian Family Law and Practice: with full commentary on the Matrimonial Causes Rule 1983. Lagos: Printable Pub. Co., 2012.
• Sagay, I., Nigerian Family Law: Principles, Cases, Statutes and Commentaries. Ikeja: Malthouse Press Ltd, 1999.
• The Law of Domestic Violence in Nigeria. Edited by Azinge, E. and Onyinyechi, L. Lagos: Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, 2012.

Gender Law

• Akande, J., Miscellany at Law and Gender Relations Lagos: MIJ Professional Publishers, 2000.

Human Rights

• Ngwakwe, E. C., Issues in Human Rights Guarantees. Owerri: Hudson-Jude Press, 2008.
• Ogbu, O. N., Human Rights Law and Practice in Nigeria: An Introduction. Enugu: Cidjap Publishers, 1999.
• Perspectives on Human Rights edited by A. U. Kalu & Y. Osinbajo. Lagos: Federal Ministry of Justice, 1992.
• Udombana, N.J., Human Rights and Contemporary Issues in Africa. Ikeja: Malthouse Press, 2003.

Intellectual Property & Copyright Law

• Asein, J.O., Nigerian Copyright Law and Practice. 2^nd ed., Nigeria: Gavel Publishing, 2012.
• Essays on Copyright Law and Administration in Nigeria edited by E.E Uvieghara, 1992.
• Ola, O., Copyright collective administration in Nigeria: lessons for Africa, London: Springer, 2013.
• Oyewunmi, A. Nigerian Law of Intellectual Property. Lagos: University of Lagos Press and Bookshop, 2015.
• Shyllon, F., Intellectual Property Law in Nigeria. Munich: Verlag C.H. Beck, 2003.

International Law

• Umozurike, U.O., Introduction to International Law. Ibadan; Spectrum Books Limited, 1993.
• Yakubu, J. A., International Contracts: Evolution and Theory. Ikeja: Malthouse Press Ltd, 1999.
• Agbede, I. O. Legal Pluralism. Ibadan: Shaneson, 1991.
• Iyi, J and Styrdom, H.A. Boko Haram and International Law. Cham, Switzerland: Springer, 2018.

Islamic Law

• Bambale, Y. Crimes and punishments under Islamic law. Ibadan: Malthouse Press, 2003.
• Ibrahim, H., Practising Shariah Law: Seven Strategies for achieving Justice in Shariah Courts. Chicago: American Bar Association, 2012.
• Peters, R., Islamic criminal law in Nigeria. Ibadan: Spectrum Books, 2003.
• Abdulrashid, Y. and Okoh, S. Succession Under Islamic Law. Lagos: Malthouse Press Ltd, 2011.

Jurisprudence

• Egwummuo, J. N., Focus on Law and Jurisprudence. Enugu: Academic Publishing Co., 2007.
• Elegido, J. M., Jurisprudence. Ibadan: Spectrum Books Limited, 1994.
• Ladan, M. T., Introduction to Jurisprudence: Classical and Islamic. Lagos: Malthouse Press, 2010.
• Nigerian Essays in Jurisprudence edited by T.O.Elias & M.I. Jegede. Lagos: MIJ Publishers, 1993.

Labour & Employment Law

• Babalola, O., Casebook on Labour & Employment Law (1995-2013). Lagos: Noetico Repertum Inc., 2014.
• Emiola, A., Nigerian Labour Law, 3rd ed., Ogbomoso: Emiola (Publishers) 2000.
• Ogunniyi, O., Nigerian Labour and Employment Law in Perspective, 2nd ed. Ikeja: Folio Publishers Ltd, 2004.
• Uvieghara, E.E., Labour Law in Nigeria. Lagos: Malthouse Press, 2001.
• Uvieghara, E.E., Trade Union Law in Nigeria. Benin-City: Ethiope Pub. Co., 1976.

Legal Profession

• Chinwo, C.A.J., Studying Law in Nigeria. Port Harcourt: Davis Printing & Packaging Co. Ltd, 2006.
• Doherty, O., Legal Practice and Management in Nigeria. London: Cavendish Publishing, 1998.
• The Legal Profession and the Nigerian Nation: Essays in Honour of Chief Afe Babalola edited by Y. Akinseye-George, Ibadan: International Legal and Allied Research Network. 2000.

Legal System

• Asein, J. O. Introduction to the Nigerian Legal System. 2nd ed., Lagos: Ababa Press, 2005.
• Current Themes in Nigerian Law edited by I. O. Agbede & E. O. Akanki.Lagos: University of Lagos, 1997.
• Fawehinmi, G., Courts’ system in Nigeria: a guide. Lagos: Nigerian Law Publications, 1992.
• Fundamentals of Nigerian Law edited by M. Ayo Ajomo. Lagos: Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, 1989.
• Introduction to Nigerian Law, edited by C.O. Okonkwo. London: Sweet & Maxwell, 1980.
• Introduction to Nigerian Legal Method. 2nd ed. edited by A. Sanni. Ile-Ife: Obafemi Awolowo University Press Limited, 2006.
• Jegede, O., Bibliography of Nigerian Law Reports. Lagos: Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, 1995.
• Jegede, O., Nigerian Legal Bibliography: A classified list of materials related to Nigerian Law. Dobbs Ferry, NY: Published for the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Lagos by Oceana Publications, 1983.
• Malemi, E., The Nigerian Legal Method. Lagos: Princeton Publishing Co., 2010.
• Nigerian Legal Methods edited by C. C. Ohuruogu & O. T. Umahi. Newcastle upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2013.
• Nwalimu, C., The Nigerian Legal System New York: Peter Lang, 2005 (3 volumes).
• Obilade, A. O., The Nigerian Legal System. London: Sweet & Maxwell, 1979.
• Ogbu, O. N., Modern Nigerian Legal System. Enugu: Cidjap Publishers, 2002.
• Ogbuinya, O., Understanding the Concept of Jurisdiction in the Nigerian Legal System. Enugu: Snaap Press, 2008.
• Ogwurike, C., Concept of Law in English-Speaking Africa. New York, London & Lagos: NOK Publishers International, 1979.
• Olong, A., The Nigerian Legal System. 2nd ed. Lagos: Malthouse Law Books. 2007.
• Park, A.E.W., The Sources of Nigerian Law. Lagos & London: African Universities Press and Sweet & Maxwell, 1963.
• Tobi, N., Sources of Nigerian law. Lagos: MIJ Professional Publishers Ltd., 1996.

Media Law

• Nigerian Press Law edited by T. O. Elias, London & Lagos: Evans Brothers & University of Lagos, 1979.
• Osinbajo, Y., & Fogam, K., Nigerian Media Law. Lagos: Gravitas Publications, 1991.

Medical Law

• Emiri, F., Medical law and ethics in Nigeria. Lagos: Malthouse Press, 2012.

Oil & Gas Law

• Atsegbua, L., Oil and Gas Law in Nigeria: Theory and Practice 3rd ed. Benin: Fifers Lane Publishers, 2012.
• Etikerentse, G., Nigerian Petroleum Law. London: Macmillan, 1985.
• Omorogbe, Y., Oil and Gas Law in Nigeria Simplified. Ikeja: Malthouse Press, 2003.
• Omorogbe, Y., The Oil and Gas Industry: Exploration and Production Contracts. Lagos: Malthouse, 1997.
• Usman, A. Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry: Laws, Policies and Institutions. Lagos: Malthouse Press Ltd., 2017.

Property Law

• Elias, T.O., Nigerian Land Law. 4th ed., London: Sweet & Maxwell, 1971.
• James, R.W., Modern Land Law of Nigeria. University of Ife Press: Ile-Ife, 1973.
• Lloyd, P.C., Yoruba Land Law. Ibadan: Oxford University Press, 1962.
• Nwabueze, B. O., Nigerian Land Law. Enugu: Nwamife Publishers, 1972.
• Okany, C. O., Nigerian Law of Real Property. 2nd ed., Enugu: Fourth Dimensions Publishers, 1986.
• Olawoye, C. O., Title to Land in Nigeria. Ibadan: Evans Brothers, 1974.
• Oluyede, P. A., Nigerian Law of Conveyancing. Ibadan: Ibadan University Press, 1978.
• Oluyede, P. A. O., Modern Nigerian Land Law. Ibadan: Evans Brothers, 1989.
• Utuama, A.A., Nigerian Law of Real Property. 2nd ed., Lagos: Malthouse Press Ltd, 2012.

Succession, Trusts, Wills & Estate Law

• Animashaun and Oyeniyi’s Law of Succession, Wills and Probate in Nigeria. Lagos: MIJ Publishers, 2002.
• Harvey, B., The Law and Practice of Nigerian Wills, Probate and Succession, 1968.
• Jegede, M.I., Law of Trusts, Bankruptcy and Administration of Estates. Lagos: MIJ Professional Publishers, 1999.
• Law of Wills in Nigeria edited by A. A. Utuama and G.M. Ibru, 2001.
• Sagay, I., Nigerian Law of Succession: Principles, Cases, Statutes and Commentaries. Lagos: Malthouse Press, 2007.
• Tobi, N., Cases and Materials on Nigerian Land Law. Lagos: Mabrochi Books, 1997.

Taxation Law

• Ola, C.S., Income Tax Law and Practice in Nigeria. Ibadan: Heinemann Educational Books (Nig), 1999.
• Olokooba, S. Nigerian Taxation: Law, Practice and Procedures Simplified. Singapore: Springer, 2018.

Tort Law

• Kodilinye, G. & Aluko, O., Nigerian Law of Torts. 2nd ed., Ibadan: Spectrum Books Limited, 1999.
• The Law of Defamation: Challenges in the Face of Rapid ICT Developments edited by G.M. Ibru, John Akintayo & Lanre Idowu. Lagos: Diamond Publications, 2013.

4.2.1. Journals

• Nigerian Law Journal (Journal of the Nigerian Association of Law Teachers)
• Nigerian Law and Practice Journal (Journal of the Nigerian Law School)
• Nigerian Current Law Journal (Published by Current Law Publications Limited, Lagos)
• Nigerian Current Law Review (Journal of the Nigerian Institute for Advanced Legal Studies)
• Ahmadu Bello University Law Journal
• Obafemi Awolowo University Law Journal
• Civil Liberty Organisation (CLO) Reports on State of Human Rights in Nigeria. CLO, Lagos.
• The Nigerian Journal of Contemporary Law (Journal of the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos)
• Ibadan University Law Review
• Ife Law Juris (Journal of the Department of Jurisprudence and Private Law, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria)
• The Calabar Law Journal (Journal of the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar, Nigeria)
• The Commercial and Industrial Law Review
• Nasarawa State University Law Journal (Journal of the Faculty of Law, Nasarawa State University, Keffi)
• Nigerian Bar Journal (Journal of the Nigerian Bar Association)
• Ibadan Bar Journal (Journal of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ibadan Branch)
• Nigeria Journal of Education Law
• The Journal of Private and Property Law (Journal of the Department of Private & Property Law, University of Lagos)
• University of Ibadan Journal of Business and Private Law (Journal of the Department of Business and Private Law, University of Ibadan)
• University of Ibadan Law Journal
• University of Maiduguri Law Journal (Journal of the Faculty of Law, University of Maiduguri)
• University of Benin Law Journal.
• Obafemi Awolowo University Law Journal.
• Ahmadu Bello University Law Journal.
• Human Rights Review, An International Human Rights Journal (Department of Public Law, Ahmadu Bello University and the National Human Rights Commission)
• Nigerian Journal of Petroleum, Natural Resources and Environmental Law

4.2.2. Legal Publishers

The following are prominent legal publishers in Nigeria:

• MIJ Professional Publishers
• Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies
• Nigerian Law Publications
• Odade Publishers

4.3. Government Publications

There is the Federal Government Press Department, which is responsible for the publication and sale of Gazettes and other government notices. The Federal Government Press is located in Lagos and Abuja. Each state has a government press, which is also responsible for state government publications.

4.4. International Law

Nigeria has ratified many international instruments and treaties. Nigeria is a member of the United Nations, The Commonwealth, the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) among others. It is also important to note that several Nigerian judges have served and are still serving on several international tribunals and courts.

5. Legal Education

The Council of Legal Education is the supervisory body responsible for the accreditation, control and management of legal education in Nigeria. The Council established under the Legal Education (Consolidation) Act, Cap L10 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 is in charge of the Nigerian Law School, a vocational institution responsible for the education and training of prospective legal practitioners in Nigeria. The Nigerian Law School’s headquarters is located in Abuja and there are other 5 campuses of the Nigerian Law School in Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Yenagoa and Yola. Persons wishing to study law in Nigeria must first undergo undergraduate training in Nigerian universities for the award of an LL.B degree after which they proceed to the Nigerian Law School for practical training in any of its campuses. Successful candidates in the Bar Final examinations are called to the Nigerian Bar if they satisfy the Benchers that they are of good character. The Council of Legal Education also recognizes some foreign degree holders from accredited overseas institutions for purposes of admission. In order to qualify to practice as a legal practitioner in Nigeria, a person called to the Nigerian Bar must enroll as a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

6. Legal Profession

It is by virtue of enrolment at the Supreme Court that an individual can become a legal practitioner and a member of the legal profession in Nigeria. A legal practitioner is enrolled in Nigeria both as a Solicitor and Advocate (Barrister) because, unlike in England, the legal profession is fused. The activities and conduct of members of the legal profession are regulated by statutory bodies like the General Council of the Bar and the Body of Benchers. The bodies are established by the Legal Practitioners Act, Cap. L 11, LFN 2004.

The Nigerian Bar Association: (N.B.A) is the foremost professional association in the legal profession. Though the N.B.A. is not a statutory body, it is recognized by statutes and it appoints members to supervisory bodies in the legal profession. In fact, the representatives of the N.B.A. participate in the deliberation of constitutional organs like the National Judicial Council and the Federal Judicial Service Commission for the purpose of considering the names of persons for appointment to the superior courts of record. The N.B.A., which had been organized at national level before independence, now has 100 recognized branches organized along judicial divisions of State High Courts, with at least one Branch in each of the 36 states. It has recently approved establishment of sections along the lines of the International Bar Association. Membership of the Association is open to all legal practitioners. The Association is funded in part through the annual practicing fees payable by legal practitioners to secure right of audience in court. The N.B.A., through its Disciplinary Committee, conducts preliminary investigation into cases of professional misconduct brought against legal practitioners. Cases of persons found to be prima facie guilty are then forwarded to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee of the Body of Benchers for consideration and determination. A person aggrieved by the decision of the Disciplinary Committee has a right of appeal to the Supreme Court of Nigeria, whose decision is final. In addition, the Supreme Court may exercise original disciplinary jurisdiction over a legal practitioner who appears to the Court to have been guilty of infamous conduct in any professional respect regarding any matter of which a court of record in Nigeria is seized. The N.B.A nominates members into regulatory bodies established by statutes for the legal profession like the Body of Benchers, the General Council of the Bar, and the Council of Legal Education.

7. Federal Government Agencies & Other Useful Websites

• Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE)– An organization responsible for the privatization and commercialization of enterprises. A list of privatized companies can be accessed on their site.
• Central Bank of Nigeria – The Central Bank of Nigeria is the apex bank in Nigeria. It was first established by the Central Bank Act of 1958, which was amended many times before it was repealed and replaced by the Central Bank of Nigeria Act No. 24 of 1991. The current law regulating the operation of the bank is the Central Bank of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, (Act 2007 No. 63) which commenced on 25th May 2007. The 1991 Act has subsequently been amended by the Amendment Acts No. 79 of 1993 and No. 3 of 1997. The bank has overall control of the monetary and financial sector policies of the Federal Government. There is a list of the official contacts of the bank available on this site.
• Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) – The Commission was established by the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Cap. 59 LFN 1990, (now Companies and Allied Matters Act Cap C20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 to regulate the formation, management, and winding up of companies in Nigeria. Information on the regulations and requirements and official contacts are available here.
• Economic and Financial Crimes Commission – This Commission was originally set up by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act of 2003. This Act has been replaced by a new Act enacted in 2004 (the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment, Etc) Cap. E1 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Act 2004 No. 1). The new Act came into operation on 4th June 2004. The Commission is one of the institutions set up by the Administration of President Obasanjo to reform the economic sector in Nigeria. It serves as the Financial Intelligence Unit to combat money laundering and other economic and financial crimes. A list of official contacts is also available on this site.
• Federal Judicial Service Commission – The Federal Judicial Commission is one of the Federal Executive bodies created by Section 153 of the Nigerian Constitution. The Commission has the power to advise the National Judicial Council persons to be appointed to the office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, a Justice of the Supreme Court, the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice of the Court of Appeal, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Judge of the Federal High Court, Chairman and members of the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
• Federal Ministry of Information – A Federal Government Department. This link contains information about past Nigerian leaders and other information about the country and its resources.
• Independent Corrupt Practices Commission – This is Nigeria’s Anti-Corruption Commission established in 2000 by the Obasanjo’s Administration. The enabling law is the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act 2003 No. 6 that repealed the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act No. 5 of 2000. The Act prohibits and prescribes punishment for corrupt practices and other related offences.
• Government Services Portal – This is the government services portal. It provides links to government services for citizens, non-citizens and businesses.
• Independent National Election Commission (INEC)– The Commission was established according to the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution to conduct, organize and monitor elections (among other duties) in the country.
• National Human Rights Commission – In line with the resolution of the UN General Assembly which enjoins all member States to establish national human rights institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights, the Nigerian government established the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in 1995. The Commission serves as an extra-judicial mechanism for the enhancement of the enjoyment of human rights generally in Nigeria. Victims of human rights violations can access the services of the Commission free of charge. Although the NHRC typically, may not have the power to make binding decisions in response to complaints of human rights violations or maladministration by government, they still play a valuable role in human rights protection and oversight of administrative behaviour, for example through providing a viable forum for the investigation and resolution of human rights complaints brought before it.
• National Judicial Council – The National Judicial Council is one of the Federal Executive Bodies created by Section 153 of the Nigerian Constitution. One of the main responsibilities of the Council is to recommend to the President persons to be appointed to the position of Chief Justice of Nigeria, judges of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, President and judges of the Federal Court of Appeal, Chief Judge and judges of the Federal High Court, High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Grand Kadi and Kadis of the Sharia Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, President and Judges of the Customary Court of Appeal, Federal Capital Territory. It is responsible for recommending to state governors persons to be appointed as Chief Judge and judges of the High courts of the states, Grand Kadi and Kadis of the Sharia Courts, President and judges of the Customary Courts. This body also recommends the removal from office and necessary disciplinary action as recommended by the Federal Judicial Service Commission and State Judicial Service Commission to the President.
• National Judicial Institute – This Institute is established under the National Judicial Institute Act Cap N55 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. This Act was originally enacted as Decree No. 28 of 1991 and it came into force on 27th June 1991. The institute is to serve as the focal point of judicial activities relating to the promotion of efficiency, uniformity and improvement in the quality of judicial services in the superior and inferior courts in Nigeria.
• National Planning Commission – The Commission is established to, among other things, determine and advise on policies that will best promote national unity and integration and sustain the Nigerian nation. The Commission is regulated by the National Planning Commission Act Cap. N66 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria. The current law was promulgated as Decree No. 71 of 1993 and it repealed the National Planning Commission Decree No 12 of 1992. The Commission is one of the agencies of government responsible for economic planning.
• National Universities Commission – This Commission established by the National Universities Commission Act, Cap N81, Laws of the federation of Nigerian 2004 is charged with the responsibility of advising the Federal and State Governments of all aspects of university education and the general development of universities in Nigeria. The present law was enacted in 1974 but amended last in 1993. The Commission is the government parastatal that grants approval for all academic programmes in Nigerian universities and licenses to all new universities.
• Nigerian Army – The Nigerian Army is one of the three branches of the Armed Forces established by section 217 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended. Detailed provisions on the establishment, command, maintenance and administration of the Nigerian Army and the other two branches (the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Air Force) contained in the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. The Act, which came into operation on 6th July 1994, has been amended a number of times.
• Nigeria Police Force – The Nigeria Police Force is established pursuant to section 214 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended The Force, whose history dates back to the colonial era, is responsible for national security. Detailed provisions on the organization, powers and duties of the Nigeria Police Force and the discipline of its personnel are contained in the Police Act, Cap P19 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, which was first enacted in 1943. A list of contacts can be found on their website.
• Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies – The Institute established pursuant to the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Act Cap N112, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, is responsible, among other things, for the conduct of research into any branch of law with a view to applying the result in the nearest of Nigeria and to provide information, supervision, guidance and advice to post-graduate students and other researchers in the field of law and law-related subjects.
• Wikipedia – Politics of Nigeria
• Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) – The Commission was established by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2004. Its main mandate is to protect the rights of the consumer through preventive and remedial measures. It provides education and awareness through advisories, warnings, recalls and interventions.

8. References

• Akeredolu, Alero (ed.) The Supreme Court Legacy. Ibadan: St. Paul’s Publishing House, 2006
• Asein, J. O., Introduction to the Nigerian Legal System. 2nd ed., Lagos: Ababa Press, 2005
• Park, A.E.W. The Sources of Nigerian Law. Lagos & London: African Universities Press and Sweet & Maxwell, 1963
• Obilade, A. O. The Nigerian Legal System. London: Sweet & Maxwell, 1979.