nt announced it will turn power
over to democratically elected civilian authorities in October 1998

National capital: Abuja
note : on 12 December 1991 the capital was officially moved from Lagos
to Abuja; many government offices remain in Lagos pending completion
of facilities in Abuja

Administrative divisions: 30 states and 1 territory*; Abia, Abuja
Capital Territory*, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Benue, Borno,
Cross River, Delta, Edo, Enugu, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina,
Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau,
Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe
note: the government has announced the creation of six additional
states named Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Gombe, Nassarawa, and Zamfara as
part of the process of transition to a civilian government

Independence: 1 October 1960 (from UK)

National holiday: Independence Day, 1 October (1960)

Constitution: 1979 constitution still partially in force; plan for
1989 constitution to take effect in 1993 was not implemented

Legal system: based on English common law, Islamic law, and tribal law

Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: Chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council and
Commander in Chief of Armed Forces and Defense Minister Gen. Sani
ABACHA (since 17 November 1993); Vice Chairman of the Provisional
Ruling Council Oladipo DIYA (since 17 November 1993); note - the
chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council is both the chief of state
and head of government
head of government: Chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council and
Commander in Chief of Armed Forces and Defense Minister Gen. Sani
ABACHA (since 17 November 1993); Vice Chairman of the Provisional
Ruling Council Oladipo DIYA (since 17 November 1993); note - the
chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council is both the chief of state
and head of government
cabinet: Federal Executive Council
elections: none; Chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council Gen. Sani
ABACHA assumed power in a military coup 17 November 1993; the
government's provisions for a return to civilian rule call for the
election of a president by universal suffrage in the third quarter of
1998 (inaugeration planned for October 1998)

Legislative branch: National Assembly
note: the National Assembly was suspended after the military takeover
of 17 November 1993; in October 1995, the government announced a
three-year program for transition to civilian rule; elections to the
National A