Nigeria is a Democratic Republic modeled after the United States, with executive power exercised by the president. The president's power is checked by a Senate and a House of Representatives, which are combined in a body called the National Assembly. There is also a Constitution. The current president of Nigeria is Olusegun Obasanjo who was elected in 1999 following the restoration of democracy after several years of military dictatorship.

The two major parties in Nigerian politics are the People's Democratic Party of Nigeria and the All Nigeria People's Party.

Law
There are four distinct systems of law in Nigeria:
English Law which is derived from its colonial past with Britain

common law, a development of its post colonial independence

customary law which is derived from indigenous traditional norms and practices

Sharia law, used only in the predominantly Hausa and Muslim north of the country

While there was some controversy with the implementation of Sharia law, the legal systems seemingly work, although the practice of sharia is unconstitutionally forced on non Muslims. There is a Judicial branch with a Supreme Court which is regarded as the highest court of the land.

Nigeria Information: Inside
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( Olusegun Obasanjo, the current president of Nigeria. )