Most Powerful Political Positions in Nigeria: Full List
Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, is a federal presidential representative democratic republic. It has a multi-party system with the two dominant parties being the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The country’s political landscape is complex, with many positions of power and influence. In this article, we will explore the top 10 most powerful political positions in Nigeria, highlighting their responsibilities, the current holders of the positions, and their roles in shaping the country’s political and economic direction.
FULL LIST OF MOST POWERFUL POLITICAL OFFICES IN NIGERIA
Below are the top political positions in Nigeria and their occupants this 2023.
THE NIGERIAN PRESIDENT
The office of the President of Nigeria is the highest political position in Nigeria since the occupant is both head of state and government, and the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The President is elected by popular vote to a four-year term, and he or she can be re-elected for one more term. The Nigerian president is also the first citizen in the country and is responsible for implementing policies, laws, and regulations passed by the National Assembly, appointing judges, and negotiating treaties. The President is also responsible for the overall direction of the country’s foreign policy, and he or she represents Nigeria on the international stage.
The current holder of the position is Muhammadu Buhari, a retired Major General in the Nigerian Army, who is the President since 2015. He is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) party and has been re-elected in 2019. During his tenure, Buhari has focused on fighting corruption, improving security, and growing the economy. He has also taken steps to improve Nigeria’s international standing, particularly through his efforts to combat Boko Haram and other extremist groups.
THE NIGERIAN VICE PRESIDENT
The Vice President is the second-highest political office in Nigeria, and he or she is elected alongside the President. The Vice President, who is the second citizen in the country is responsible for supporting and advising the President, and he or she assumes the President’s responsibilities in the event of the President’s death, incapacitation, or impeachment. The current holder of the position is Yemi Osinbajo, a professor of law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who has been in the office since 2015. He is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) party. Osinbajo has played a key role in supporting and advising President Buhari on various issues, including economic policy and anti-corruption efforts.
THE NIGERIAN SENATE PRESIDENT
The office of the Senate President is third most powerful political position in the country and the head of the Senate, the upper chamber of Nigeria’s bicameral legislature. The Senate President is elected by members of the Senate, and he or she is responsible for leading the Senate and shaping legislation. The Senate President also represents the Senate in interactions with the President and other branches of government. The current holder of the position is Ahmed Lawan, a senator representing Yobe North, who has been in office since 2019. He is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) party. Lawan has been instrumental in shaping legislation and building consensus among senators on key issues.
THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
The Speaker of the House of Representatives is the head of the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of Nigeria’s bicameral legislature. The Speaker is the fourth citizen in Nigeria and is elected by members of the House of Representatives, and he or she is responsible for leading the House and shaping legislation. The Speaker also represents the House in interactions with the President and other branches of government. The current holder of the position is Femi Gbajabiamila, a representative for Surulere I, who has been in office since 2019. He is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) party. Gbajabiamila has been instrumental in shaping legislation and building consensus among representatives on key issues.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF NIGERIA
The Chief Justice of Nigeria is the head of the judiciary, and he or she is responsible for leading the judiciary and shaping judicial policies. The Chief Justice is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The Chief Justice also presides over the Supreme Court, the highest court in Nigeria. The current holder of the position is Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, who has been in office since 2019. Muhammad is a former justice of the Court of Appeal and has extensive experience in the legal field.
THE GOVERNOR
The office of the Governor is another powerful political office in Nigeria, but at the state level. He is the head of the executive branch of government in each of Nigeria’s 36 states. The Governor is elected by popular vote to a four-year term and can be re-elected for one more term. The Governor is responsible for implementing policies, laws, and regulations passed by the state’s House of Assembly, and he or she also plays a key role in shaping state-level policies and regulations. The current holders of the position vary as Nigeria has 36 states and there is a governor for each state.
THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR
The Deputy Governor is the second-highest political office in each of Nigeria’s 36 states. The Deputy Governor is elected alongside the Governor, and he or she assumes the Governor’s responsibilities in the event of the Governor’s death, incapacitation, or impeachment. The Deputy Governor also plays a key role in supporting and advising the Governor on various issues. The current holders of the position also vary as Nigeria has 36 states and there is a deputy governor for each state.
MINISTER FOR JUSTICE AND ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
The Ministry of Justice is led by the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of Nigeria, who is in charge of advising the federal government on legal issues and representing Nigeria in judicial processes. The Federal Republic of Nigeria’s Attorney-General must also safeguard Nigerian citizens from arbitrary executive activities. The Attorney-General is the fourth in the Nigerian Presidency’s line of succession. Abubakar Malami is the current Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, having taken office on December 11, 2015.
NIGERIA’S DEPUTY SENATE PRESIDENT
The Deputy Senate President is Nigeria’s fifth highest political office, elected in an indirect election held within the Senate. In the absence of the Senate President, the Senate is presided over by the Deputy Senate President. The Deputy Senate President is the fifth in the presidential line of succession. Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege is the current Deputy Senate President, taking office on June 11, 2019.
DEPUTY SPEAKER OF NIGERIA’S HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
The Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives is the second-highest member of Nigeria’s bicameral National Assembly’s lower chamber. The Deputy Speaker is elected by a majority of the members of Nigeria’s House of Representatives in an indirect house election. If the Speaker of the House of Representatives is not present, it is the Deputy Speaker’s obligation to preside over the House. The Deputy Speaker is the sixth in line for the presidency. Ahmed Idris Wase is the current Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, having taken office on June 12, 2019.
HEAD OF THE NIGERIA’S CIVIL SERVICE
The Office of the Civil Service of the Federation is in charge of managing and growing the capacity of the Federal Civil Service in order to guarantee that the workforce is focused, disciplined, and dedicated to assisting the Federal Government in the implementation of its policies and programmes. Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan is the Federation’s current Head of Civil Service.
NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR
The National Security Advisor is responsible for advising the President on national security issues, such as advising the President on intelligence agency activities and providing recommendations to the President on security agency activities. The National Security Advisor is a member of the Presidency, National Security Council, and Federal Executive Council by virtue of this political position. Babagana Monguno is the current National Security Advisor.
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE
The Minister of Finance is responsible for shaping Nigeria’s economic policies and managing the country’s finances. The Minister is appointed by the President and is a member of the President’s cabinet. The Minister of Finance plays a key role in creating the annual budget, managing government revenues, and developing economic policy. The current holder of the position is Zainab Ahmed, who has been in office since 2019. Ahmed is a former accountant and has experience in the private sector.
THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
The Minister of Foreign Affairs is responsible for shaping Nigeria’s foreign policies and representing the country on the international stage. The Minister is appointed by the President and is a member of the President’s cabinet. The Minister of Foreign Affairs plays a key role in managing Nigeria’s relationships with other countries, negotiating treaties, and representing Nigeria at international conferences and meetings. The current holder of the position is Geoffrey Onyeama, who has been in office since 2015. Onyeama is a career diplomat and has experience in the foreign service.
THE MINISTER OF PETROLEUM
The Minister of Petroleum is responsible for managing the country’s oil and gas resources, which is a major source of revenue for Nigeria. The Minister is appointed by the President and is a member of the President’s cabinet. The Minister of Petroleum plays a key role in developing and implementing policies related to the oil and gas industry, and also oversees the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, these highest political positions in Nigeria play a crucial role in shaping the country’s political and economic direction. The President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Governor, Deputy Governor, Chief Justice of Nigeria, etc, all have significant responsibilities and wield significant power in their respective areas of expertise. The holders of these positions are temporal and are always changed either through elections or appointments.