See the latest updates about the Federal government system in Nigeria

Nigeria practices a federation type of government where there are 3 distinct branches of government which are the executive, legislative, and judiciary. The power is described by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which includes the president, the Federal House of Assembly, and the federal court of which the Supreme Court is considered the peak of all courts. 

The Constitution does not only distribute power between the arms of government it also creates a balance between them so that each arm can monitor the activities of other arms without directly getting involved in their affairs. 

Nigeria is a federal republic in the sense that it does not only have a federal government but also state and local governments which are the levels of government.

Can the Nigerian Government be Sued? 

The Nigerian government, like any government, is not immune to legal proceedings. It can be sued by individuals or entities who believe they have been wronged or seek redress for governmental actions. In this article, we will delve into the reasons why the Nigerian government can be subjected to legal challenges, highlighting the avenues through which accountability can be sought. 

Constitutionally Guaranteed Rights

Nigeria’s Constitution serves as the supreme law of the land, granting certain rights and protections to its citizens. These fundamental rights include freedom of speech, expression, and association, as well as the right to a fair hearing and protection against unlawful detentions. If the government violates these constitutional rights, individuals can file lawsuits to seek justice and enforce compliance. 

Administrative Actions and Decisions

The Nigerian government often takes administrative actions and decisions that impact the lives of its citizens. These can range from land acquisitions and public infrastructure projects to regulatory decisions affecting businesses and industries. If individuals or organizations believe that such decisions have adversely affected them, they can sue the government to challenge the legality or fairness of these actions, seeking relief or compensation. 

Contractual Obligations

The Nigerian government frequently enters into contracts with private individuals or organizations to deliver goods or services. If the government fails to fulfill its contractual obligations or breaches the terms of an agreement, affected parties can resort to legal action to seek remedies such as damages or specific performance. Contractual disputes with the government can be resolved in the same manner as disputes with private entities. 

Human Rights Violations

Instances of human rights violations can occur within any government, and Nigeria is no exception. If individuals or groups suffer violations of their fundamental human rights at the hands of the Nigerian government or its agencies, they have the right to seek legal remedies. This can involve filing lawsuits domestically or through international mechanisms such as the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights or the International Criminal Court. 

Tort Claims

Torts encompass various civil wrongs, such as negligence, assault, battery, or trespassing, committed by individuals or entities. The Nigerian government can also be held liable for tortious acts committed by its officials or agents that cause harm to citizens. Individuals can bring lawsuits against the government seeking compensation for damages arising from such acts. 

Secretary Of Nigeria’s Federal Government

The present secretary to the government is George Akume, who was born on 27 December 1953. He is the 21st Secretary to the government of the federation appointed by President Bola Tinubu. George Akume was 2 times serving as senator of Benue North-West Senatorial district. He was the minority leader of the house from 2011 to 2015 and also served as minister of special duties and internal government affairs under the administration of President Muhammad Buhari. 

The list of the secretary of Nigeria’s federal government

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) is the highest-ranking non-political appointee in the Nigerian federal government and is typically appointed by the President. The individuals listed below are past secretaries, and the present serving Secretary to the government of the federation.

The Secretary to the GovernmentTenure
DR. S.O. WEY1/9/1961- 16/1/1966
MR. M.A. EJUEYITCHIE, CFR4/8/1966- 20/12/1970
MR. A.A. ATTA21/12/1970 – 12/6/1972
MR. C.O. LAWSON16/8/1972- 31/3/1975
MR. A.A. AYIDA, CFR23/4/1975- 31/3/1977
MR. ALI L. CIROMA, CFR1/4/1977- 30/9/1979
ALHAJI SHEHU A. MUSA, CFR1/10/1979- 31/12/1983
MR. G.A. LONGE1/1/1984 – 30/1/1986
CHIEF OLU31/1/1986  31/12/1989
ALHAJI ALIYU MOHAMMED1/1/1990 – 26/8/1993
ALHAJI MUSTAFA UMARA27/8/1993- 17/11/1993
ALHAJI AMINU SALEH, CFR18/11/1993 – 17/10/1995
ALHAJI GIDADO IDRIS17/10/1995- 28/5/1999
CHIEF U.J. EKAETTE, CFR29/5/1999- 28/5/2007
AMB. BABA GANA KINGIBE, CFR29/5/2007 – 8/10/2008
MAHMUD YAYALE AHMED, CFR8/10/2008 – 29/05/2011
SENATOR ANYIM PIUS ANYIM, GCON29/05/2011- 29/05/2015
ENGR. BABACHIR DAVID LAWAL27/08/2015- 19/04/2017
BOSS GIDA MUSTAPHA30/10/2017 – 29/05/2023
GEORGE AKUME07/06/2023- TILL DATE

Can the federal government of Nigeria guarantee projects?

The Nigerian government’s main problem with projects includes a lack of proper planning and government uncertainties due to a lack of continuity in the Nigerian government. Other problems include economic degradation and currency devaluation because Nigeria is import-dependent.

For these Reasons, Nigerian government can not guarantee projects.

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