Nigeria
2026
- GOVERNMENT
- federal presidential republic
- CONSTITUTION
- a new constitution was adopted in 1999
- LEGAL SYSTEM
- based on English common law, Islamic law (in 12 northern states), and tribal norms
- LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM
- bicameral, Senate and House of Representatives
- JUDICIAL SYSTEM
- Supreme Court (judges appointed by the Provisional Government Council); Federal Court of Appeal (judges appointed by the federal government on the recommendation of the Advisory Judicial Committee)
RELIGIONS
50% Muslims, 40% Christians, 10% local beliefs
From the country
- NOVEMBER 21, 2002NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
At least 10 people were killed after thousands of rioting...
At least 10 people were killed after thousands of rioting Muslim youths torched churches, looted shops and destroyed vehicles in the northern Nigerian city of Kaduna amid rising Muslim fury over the country's staging of the Miss World pageant
- NOVEMBER 18, 2002NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
The troubled Miss World contest faced further controversy...
The troubled Miss World contest faced further controversy today after it emerged that 11 children in host nation Nigeria could have their hands amputated for petty theft
- NOVEMBER 13, 2002NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
"I really appreciate the support of the contestants who have offered to boycott for me
"I really appreciate the support of the contestants who have offered to boycott for me
- NOVEMBER 11, 2002NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
Nigerian officials celebrated as a planeload of beauty...
Nigerian officials celebrated as a planeload of beauty queens arrived for the Miss World pageant which had been threatened by a mass boycott over the country's Islamic stoning sentences
- NOVEMBER 11, 2002NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
Nigerian officials celebrated on Monday as a planeload...
Nigerian officials celebrated on Monday as a planeload of beauty queens arrived for the Miss World pageant, which had been threatened by a mass boycott over the country's Islamic stoning sentences
- NOVEMBER 7, 2002NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
The so-called Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria...
The so-called Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria condemned the recent call by President Obasanjo for the abolition of the death penalty worldwide
- NOVEMBER 7, 2002NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
Hurera Akilu-Atta, who is one of Amina Lawal's lawyers...
Hurera Akilu-Atta, who is one of Amina Lawal's lawyers and who works for Baobab, a women's human rights organisation in Nigeria said: "When we heard that participants were boycotting this event, we felt happy and hopeful," she said
- OCTOBER 31, 2002NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
A 29-year-old Nigerian man who confessed to committing...
A 29-year-old Nigerian man who confessed to committing fornication last June was Thursday given 100 strokes of the cane, under the controversial Islamic Sharia law
- OCTOBER 30, 2002NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
Only four Miss World contestants will boycott the beauty...
Only four Miss World contestants will boycott the beauty contest due to be held in Nigeria on December 7 in protest against the death sentence given to Amina Lawal
- OCTOBER 30, 2002NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
The Minister of state for foreign affairs, Dubem Onyia,...
The Minister of state for foreign affairs, Dubem Onyia, said: "Nobody will ever be stoned as a result of sharia law
- OCTOBER 29, 2002NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
Nigeria vowed to block Islamic courts from carrying...
Nigeria vowed to block Islamic courts from carrying out any executions by stoning, promising to hold the line against sentences in northern states that have provoked international protests and boycott threats
- OCTOBER 28, 2002NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
The Abia State governor, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu may grant...
The Abia State governor, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu may grant the prerogative of mercy to four condemned persons by commuting their convicts to prison terms