The Federal Republic of Nigeria gained its  independence from British colonial rule in 1960, when an elected civilian government took power and democracy lasted for only six years, followed by a series of military coups. The country continued under military rule for 16 years until 1999 AD Then democracy returned again by holding general elections during which former President Obasanjo won, a new constitution was passed and a peaceful transition of power from military rule to civil rule was passed. It is currently going through the longest period of civil rule since its independence, as five general elections took place in the years 1999, 2003, 2004, 2011, 2015, and 2019

System of government and government composition

The executive consists of the President, Vice President, and Federal Executive Council (the Council of Ministers). The President of the Republic is elected through general elections that take place every four years, and the President can be re-elected for a second presidential term, to remain in power for a maximum period of 8 years. The President of the Republic selects a deputy during the election campaign, and after his victory, he appoints the members of the Council of Ministers, provided that each of the 36 states is represented by at least one minister, according to the provisions of the 1999 constitution.

The executive is headed by the President, who is the head of state, head of government, and commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

The current president is President / Muhammadu Buhari, who won a presidential election that took place on March 28, 2015 and was installed on May 29, 2015 for a four-year presidential term and was re-elected for a second presidential term during the elections in 2019.

Vice President: Prof. Yemi Osinbago, a Christian from south-western Nigeria, was chosen by President Muhammadu Buhari as his deputy, upon the recommendation of leaders of the ruling party in Lagos State.

The National Assembly (Parliament) consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The number of Senate seats is 109, with three members from each of the country's 36 states, in addition to one member from the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja), while members of the House of Representatives reach 360 with a deputy for each electoral district.