Government

Nigeria is governed under the constitution of 1999. The executive branch is headed by a president, who is popularly elected for a four-year term and is assisted by a cabinet. The bicameral legislature consists of a 360-seat house of representatives and a 109-seat senate; all legislators are elected for four-year terms. Parliament convened for the first time in Abuja in Aug., 1999. For administrative purposes, the country is divided into 36 states and a federal capital territory.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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