Nigeria's Constitutional Development: 1922 to Present

Pre-Independence Constitutions

• 1922 Clifford Constitution: First elective principle (limited franchise: male, £100 income, Lagos/Calabar only). Legislative Council with African minority.
• 1946 Richards Constitution: Regionalism introduced—North, West, East assemblies; central legislative council. Aimed at unity but entrenched regional divisions.
• 1951 Macpherson Constitution: Wider consultation; central legislature + Council of Ministers (first Nigerians as ministers); regional autonomy increased.
• 1954 Lyttleton Constitution: Federal system established; exclusive/concurrent legislative lists; governor-general + regional governors; precursor to independence.

Post-Independence

• 1960 Independence Constitution: Parliamentary system; PM (Abubakar Tafawa Balewa) + ceremonial Governor-General (Nnamdi Azikiwe); bicameral parliament.
• 1963 Republican Constitution: Republic declared; President (ceremonial) replaced Governor-General; unicameral National Assembly; Azikiwe first President.

Military Interruption & Return to Civil Rule

• 1979 Constitution: Second Republic; US-style presidential system; strong executive president (Shehu Shagari); bicameral National Assembly (Senate + House).
• 1999 Constitution: Fourth Republic (current); similar presidential federal structure; adopted May 29, 1999. Amended multiple times.

Key Amendments Since 1999

• 2006 (Failed): Attempted third term for president; rejected by Senate.
• 2010: Independent candidacy (later struck down by courts).
• 2011: Electoral reforms (INEC autonomy, party primaries).
• 2018: "Not Too Young To Run"—lowered presidential age from 40 to 35; governorship 35→30; House 30→25.
• 2023: Electoral Act 2022 (not constitutional amendment but pivotal): Bimodal accreditation, electronic transmission, early INEC funding.

The 1999 Constitution remains criticized for over-centralization ("unitary federalism"), revenue allocation, state creation rigidity, and weak accountability mechanisms. Calls for restructuring or a new constitution persist.