Current republican government of Nigeria: Nigeria’s fourth republic

1) Constitutional Foundation of the Fourth Republic

When Nigeria embraced its Fourth Republic on May 29, 1999, hopes were high that the country had closed the chapter on decades of military rule. The 1999 Constitution established a federal presidential republic with a clear separation of powers across the executive, legislative, and judicial arms of government.

More than two decades later, the Fourth Republic has endured longer than any of its predecessors—an achievement that frames today’s debates about reform, security, and inclusion.

2) Executive Power and Reforms

At the heart of the republic today is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, inaugurated on May 29, 2023, alongside Vice President Kashim Shettima. Tinubu’s rise continued the tradition of zoning, an informal North–South rotation aimed at ensuring balance in a diverse federation.

Early in his tenure, the administration enacted bold reforms: fuel subsidy removal, a more flexible naira regime, and efforts to broaden social support. While economists lauded the direction, the immediate impact included higher transport and food costs—triggering protests and testing public patience.

Key figures such as the Chief of Staff and the National Security Adviser shape access, policy flow, and security coordination. The Federal Executive Council reflects the federal character principle by drawing ministers from all 36 states.

3) Legislature: The National Assembly

Nigeria’s bicameral National Assembly comprises the Senate and the House of Representatives. It makes laws, approves budgets, confirms appointments, and provides oversight of the executive. Current leadership is aligned with the ruling party, fueling debate over whether the Assembly acts as an effective check or a rubber stamp.

Frequent defections—popularly called cross-carpeting—reshape party arithmetic mid-cycle and complicate accountability to voters.

4) Judiciary: Supreme Court and Courts System

The Supreme Court stands at the apex of the judicial hierarchy, led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria. The courts adjudicate constitutional questions, election petitions, and fundamental rights claims. Independence remains a constant concern, with high-profile political cases drawing public scrutiny.

5) Federal Structure: States & Local Governments

Nigeria comprises 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja). Each state has an elected Governor and State House of Assembly, while 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) handle grassroots administration. Despite federalism, many states remain fiscally dependent on federally distributed oil revenues, tempering true autonomy.

6) Political Dynamics and Party Competition

Since 1999, power has shifted from the formerly dominant PDP to the APC, with newer platforms like the Labour Party energizing youth participation. Yet Nigerian politics remains largely a two-big-party arena, with ideology often overshadowed by coalition-building and elite bargaining.

Defections, legal battles over primaries, and contested mandates contribute to voter apathy even as digital activism brings fresh voices to the process.

7) Socioeconomic Strains and Public Sentiment

Inflation, unemployment, and a rising cost of living have defined the near-term effects of reform. Government relief measures—including cash transfers and targeted subsidies—aim to cushion households, but execution capacity and coverage remain under public scrutiny.

Security concerns—from banditry and insurgency to oil-region disruptions—continue to test coordination among the executive, legislature, and judiciary.

8) Democracy at a Crossroads

The Fourth Republic is both a milestone and a mirror. It reflects democratic endurance—Nigeria’s longest stretch of civilian rule—while revealing institutional fragilities. Whether the system thrives will depend on deepening rule of law, strengthening state capacity, curbing opportunistic defections, and delivering broad-based growth.