Citizenship Education

Definition
​What is Citizenship Education? Before an attempt is made to define ‘Citizenship
Education; it becomes pertinent to point out what it is not some students and teachers
erroneously claim that citizenship education is essentially government or history or social
studies. While they may be partially correct to the extent that the course comprises
aspects of the above subjects, it also incorporates elements of sociology, geography,
political science and environment science. Indeed citizenship education has a wide reach,
embracing a diverse range of disciplines.
​Citizenship education may be defined as a discipline that studies in a measured
dimension the important socio-political and environmental concepts and phenomena
relevant to the well-being of Nigeria. This embracive definition explains why the course
includes topics like national identity, national ethics and discipline, constitution, arms of
government, environmental protection etc. as well as sub-topics like national symbols,
role of culture in national integration, the rule of law, performance of the mass media,
ozone layer depletion through chlorofluorocarbons (CFCS) etc.
​Citizenship education is a measured study of the various concepts and phenomena
within its scope. It is detailed enough to give students a firm grasp of relevant knowledge
and new practical skills. Yet it is not too detailed to pass as an exhaust theoretical analysis
or enquiry into topics being studied.
Rational for Citizenship Education
​It becomes relevant at this point to ask why students of different polytechnic
disciplines have to be made to study citizenship education. Is the course relevant to
students of art and design. Architecture, catering and hotel management, food technology,
science laboratory technology, engineering, computer science, banking and finance,
accountancy, business and secretarial studies etc.?
​The answer to the above question is an emphatic ‘YES’ as can be seen in the
reasons given below as to the need to study citizenship education.
1. Citizenship education gives the student knowledge of the Nigerian constitution.
The student becomes acquainted with the concepts and provisions of this
constitution in order to be able to use it to full advantage. Knowledge of the
constitution is extremely imperative because it constitutes the fundamental laws
and principles or substructure upon which other laws must be based. For example,
the provisions of the Nigerian Company Law, the legal framework of COREN, the
Nigerian tourism board (NBTE) etc. must not violate any provision of the
Nigerian constitution. If they do, they become null, void and ultra vires.
2. The course gives the student knowledge of the social and political institutions of
his country. Of what credits is it to an accountant or a qualified science laboratory
technologist who does not understand how the country’s courts operate? He or she
may easily be taken advantage of by the system.
3. Citizenship education equips the student with the knowledge of the structure and
functions of government. in the Nigerian context, the student is able to appreciate
the country’s through the federal structure, the functions and responsibilities of the
organs of government at various levels.
4. The student is exposed to his rights, privileges, duties and obligations as a citizen
of Nigeria. Knowledge of rights and privileges enables the student to defend
himself intelligently while that of duties ensures that the laws of the land are not
ignorantly flouted by him.
5. The course helps to imbue the students with the democratic and social values of
Nigeria. By going through the details of the country’s socio-political development,
 the student can draw a line between ideals, reality and perversion of standards, as
well as how this perversion can be resisted. In the process, he captures the essence
of democracy and positive national values.
6. The student becomes conversant with the practical issues of government. some of
these issues flow from the structure and functions of government. examples are
how to make the judiciary dispense justice with equity and in good time, how to
ensure no section of the frequency of coup d’états, how to have credible transition
programmes etc.
7. Citizenship education exposes the student to ethical standards required for good
citizenship. Once these standards of morality are accepted and internalized, good
citizenship invariably ensues.
8. It inculcates the requisite standards and practical skills for maintaining good
environmental health. These result in measures aimed at environmental protection
and conversation.
Overall, it can be seen that citizenship education has tremendous value for the student.
No wonder the points explained above were rightly articulated by the NBTE.

CONSTITUTION A CONCEPTUAL CLARIFICATION

What is constitution?
In every modern state, constitution is a familiar symbol of independence and nationhood;
hence its conceptualization poses no confusion; though done by varieties of authors of different
ideological divide, but have come terms and agreement of what constitution is all about. This is
made possible as most authors define it along the lines of what the constitution does or the
purpose it is meant to serve in every human organization and polity.
For example, in the old thesis of Bagehot, a constitution is define as the totality of the
rules and regulations, both legal and non-legal, which ordain, order, regulate and sustain the
government of a given country(Bagehot, 1949). K.C Wheare equally wrote along this line when
he explained constitution as a collection of norms or standards according to which a country is
governed. Austin Raney’s definition states that a constitution is a body of fundamental rules,
written or unwritten, legal or extra-legal according to which a particular government operates.
Khan et al (1977;140) claimed that “a constitution in any form, describes the types of decisions
which may not be made by official institutions and prescribes the processes through which
legitimate decisions may bemade’’ while LaPalombara, (1974; 74) views constitution as ‘’the
totality of a country’s political institutional arrangements, which are its tools for the exercise of
power’’.
Human peaceful co-existence is not done in a vacuum but with a standard reference to an
existing order or regulatory mechanism, so also, the relationship between the governed and the
governor must be clearly stipulated in any polity and adherence to orderliness will not be put to
chance. Kolawole puts this into perspective when he opined that;
A constitution sets the parameters of behavior within a political system. It is an
attitudinal regulatory mechanism on the government and the governed. A defined the boundaries
of the political entity, the powers and limitations of its political leaders as well as the rights and
obligation of its citizenry. (kolawole 2002; 78).
Constitution is a concept that is of great significance where there is rule of law. It is
important to properly study and understood it in order to have better understanding of how the
modern society operates and how the operation is regulated. It can help to understand why there
are disagreement and conflicts and how they are resolved. According to A.V Dicey constitution
is written document which has a special legal infallibly, sets down the frame-work and major
functions of the branches of government and define the principles governing the operation of
these branches.
The above set of definitions may here lay claim to a formal document as constitution, but
a ‘’constitution may be a vague body of unwritten laws, taking the form of usage,
understandings, customs or conventions which courts do not recognize as law, but which are not
less effective in regulating the government’’(Anifowoshe. Op cit).
IMPORTANCE OF CONSTITUTION
From the outlook of constitution presented variously above, certain provisions are
derived. They are summarily presented here;
1. A constitution states the powers and functions of the organs of government.
2. It defines the system of government operating in the state.
 3. It stipulates the political structure of the state.
4. It states the election procedures, the tenure of office of government power holders and
the type of part system.
5. It determines qualification for citizenship, its acquisition and the rights, duties and
obligations of such citizens.
6. It also outlines the fundamental objectives and principles of the country.
7. Also, it spells out the process of amending the constitution itself.
TYPES OF CONSTITUTION
Several approaches are adopted in classifying constitution. A classification often depends
on the position of the person concerned. But often, classification is done on the basis of
traditional distinctions. An example is whether a constitution is written or unwritten. A
constitution may also be rigid or flexible. In this context. Constitution shall be classified
according to their forms, Method of amendment and system of government. When a constitution
is written or unwritten it is classified to according to their forms. When method of amendment is
considered, we have rigid and a flexible constitution. Classification according to system of
government adopted refers to unitary,federal and confederal types of constitution.The type of
constitution adopted by society depends on the structure, demographic character, territorial
expansion and historical experience of the society. Generally, however all constitutions are either
written or unwritten.
WRITTEN CONSTITUTION
A constitution is said to be written when the fundamental laws according to how a nation
or state is constituted and governed are written down in a document, officially referred to as the
constitution. The document or book containing can be picked up and read by anybody at any
time. Such a person will be able to know all the provision made for the powers and functions of
the president, the senators, governors, assembly-men or local government councilors. How they
can be elected, their tenure of office is also duly provided for. This is made possible because the
constitution is codified in a single document.
A written constitution is rigid in nature in that, it cannot be easily amended. The
procedure for its amendment may be deliberately made difficult. For instance, the constitution of
the federal republic of Nigeria (1999) may be amended by the National Assembly if and only if
such an amendment is supported by the votes if not less than two-thirds majority of all the
members of both the senate and House of Representatives and approved by the resolution of the
House of Assembly of not less than two-thirds of all states.
One of the reasons why the laws of the lands are written down is to ensure that minority’s
interests are protected. Other reasons include; preventing tyranny and abuse of powers. Some of
the countries with written constitutions are United States of America, Nigeria, Ghana, Sierre-
leone and Kenya.

UNWRITTEN CONSTITUTION
Unwritten constitution is the opposite of a written constitution. If the fundamental
principles and rules governing the running of the political system is not found in a single
document, the constitution is said to be unwritten.
The fact that a country operates unwritten constitution does not mean that the country is a
lawless country. Rather, it implies that the country’s laws are not codified in a single document.
The unwritten constitution is made up conventions, which are the result of age-long practices,
Acts of parliament, judicial decisions, customs and customary practices, which are referred to as
common law. These must have developed over a long period of time.
The special advantage which unwritten constitution has is that, its flexible i.e it can be
easily amended. For this reason, it can easily adopt to situation in order to satisfy emergency
needs, especially in moment of crisis.
RIGID CONSTITUTION
A rigid constitution is a constitution which cannot be easily changed or amend. The
constitution itself must have made the procedures for its amendment so difficult and stringent.
These procedures are in most cases different from the processes of making ordinary laws. For
instance, to make an ordinary law under the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria
(1999), the bill requires a simple majority supports of members of the legislature at the level of
government concerned. But to amend the constitution, the amendment must be supported by not
less than two-thirds majority of the members of both senate and house of representatives and
must be approved by the members of the house of assembly of not less than two-thirds of all the
state of the federation.
The greatest advantage of having a rigid constitution is that, it places obstacles in the
ways of frivolous revision processes and thereby ensures that fundamental laws of the country as
well as the rights of citizens are preserved and protected. Usually, written constitution is rigid.
FLEXIBLE CONSTITUTION
A constitution which does not make provisions for a special procedure for amending it’s a
flexible constitution. A flexible constitution is the opposite of a rigid constitution. Flexible
constitution can be amended by the same procedures used in making ordinary laws i.e. simply
majority support of the members of the legislature. Some flexible constitutions are written e.g.
the Independence constitution of Ghana (1957), while others such as British constitution and
New Zealand constitution are unwritten. They can be altered in any way by a simple Act of
parliament.
Flexible constitutions are not as common as rigid constitutions.
FEDERAL CONSTITUTION
A federal constitution is the one which national or central government shares government
power with sub-national or constituent units otherwise known as region, state, province, republic
or cantons. The central authority represents the whole and acts on behalf of the external affairs.
International relations, defense and in other common internal affairs while the constituent regions
have power on legislation and administration within their jurisdiction. However not all systems
so formed have shared powers between the central governments and the constituent governments
and not have given substantial powers and sovereignty to the constituent governments. It has a
constitutional distribution of power that cannot be changed unilaterally by and level of
government or the ordinary process of legislation. By the nature of federal constitution no part
has the right to secede. The constitution is supreme. The Supreme Court is the final legal arbiter
in the federation.
History has shown very clearly that the principal factors in the formation of federal
system of government are military and security consideration. Similarity in social cultural
institution prior political association, Geographical contiguity and desire for union.
UNITARY CONSTITUTION
Unitary constitution is the one that concentrates all power and authority for the exercise
of functions of a state in the hand of the central government. It gives limited power to the
component unit(regions). Unitary constitution provides for supreme legislative authority and one
executive authority. All other agencies or institutions that perform quasi-legislative or executive
authority derive their power and authority from the centre and such agencies can only exercise
delegated authority.
Unitary constitution is also associated with small countries with little multi-ethnic
features or traits. Examples are Italy, Ghana,and Gambia and sierra leone.etc. Centralization of
government power, subordination of local government authority. Delegation of power to local
government, strong upper chamber parliament supremacy, flexibility, lack of judicial review is
the major features of unitary constitution. Major conditions that necessitate unitary constitution
are homogeneity, political expediency and small size.
CONFEDERAL CONSTITUTION
This is a constitution that allocates much power to the component units (regions) at the
expense of the central government. Confederation is usually associated with a league of
sovereign state that delegates’ power on selected issues to a central government is deliberately
weakened because of its very limited power. The central authority, therefore largely depends on
the component units (regions) for its survival and existence. There is usually a quasi-federal or
transitory arrangement between different autonomous states. The United state was a confederal
state between 1781 and 1789 after which it became a federation. Another Examples of a
confederation is the seneGambia in the early 1980s.
INTERNATIONAL CONSTITUTION
International constitution is a relatively recent development in law (jus gentinum).
International constitution can be conceived as the aggregate of rules designed to achieve peaceful
co-operation between states in conflict. According to Harold Laski (1974), International
constitution is a body of rules but which the mutual contacts of states and their citizens are
organized. Stance articulates this view which is composed for its greater part of the principles
and rules of conduct which states feel themselves bound to observe in their relations with each
others.
From these definitions, it could be implied that international laws are set of rules
governing nations. Associations and organizations coming together under the same legal
arrangement to achieve a collective objective. In addition, International constitution also
concerns itself with rules of law relating to the functioning of international institutions or
organizations and their relations with states and individuals. So far as they are the concern of the
global community. In summary, international constitution is primarily a system of rules
regulating the rights and duties of the states in international system.
The recent development across the world has made the conventional or traditional notion
of international constitution inadequate, and therefore expanded to incorporate the establishment
of a large number if permanent international organization such as United Nation Organization,
Organization of African Unity, European Economic Community, World HealthOrganisation.etc
whose constitutions or charters serve as perfect examples of international constitutions.
CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA HISTORY
Nigeria assumed her artificial creation effectively in 1914. This was when the two
protectorates of northern and southern Nigeria were amalgamated by Sir Fedrick Lugard. The
union, which came suddenly, included differing groups and tribes and people that it was almost
doubted whether it could survive as a political entity. The name Nigeria however was suggested
earlier by flora Shaw (who later married lord Lugard) in her article for the ‘times’ where she
suggested that the several British protectorates on the Niger be known collectively as Nigeria
(Crowther 1973;21).
The evolutionary history of Nigeria actually started with the annexation of Lagos by the
British in 1861. Lagos as the crown colony. British spread their occupation to the hinterland with
the 1884|45 Berlin conference. The coast areas where Britain had major influence were
proclaimed as oil Rivers –protectorate (NIGER DELTA) which laid the foundation for
colonialism in 1886. Britain granted a charter to a British Company later called Royal Niger
Company. This charter gave the company right not only to trade but also to govern the oil Rivers
protectorate. The company continues its exercise of political authority until 1899 after which the
British government took over the political control in compliance with 1890 BRUSSELS
CONFERENCE.
In 1900, the northern areas of the territories were constituted a s protectorate of Northern
Nigeria and the remaining parts forming the protectorate of the southern Nigeria. The British
government however merged the colony of Lagos with southern protectorate retaining Lagos as
the capital. On January 1,1914, the colony and the two protectorates of the northern and southern
blocs were merged officially as a single country called Nigeria. However, the history of written
law or constitutional organ for the area (Nigeria) can be traced to the act of 1862; which provided
for the colonial administration of Lagos. This was followed by the southern Nigeria Act of 1906
and then the amalgamation Act of 1914. The first main constitution was however the Clifford
constitution of 1922. Attaining Clifford constitution did not come easy but from a buildup of the
call of Africans to have a say in their government. Since the 1884|45 Berlin conference where
Africa continent were partitioned and shared out among Europeans countries and their
subsequent illegal occupation of the area.African leaders has realized and they had shown
resentments and oppositions to such an expatriate rules of their people. Though the pace was
slow, but it became a gradual process that eventually terminated political colonialism in almost
all African countries today.
THE CLIFFORD CONSTITUTION OF 1922
FEATURES;
1. The constitution introduced a new legislative and executive councils replacing the
abolished old council for Lagos colony and the Nigeria council.
2. The new legislative council composed of 46 members of which 27 members and 19
others were non-official members.
3. From the 19 non-official members, 10 were Nigerian, 4 of which were elected;with 3
representing Lagos and one (1) represented Calabar.
4. Only male adults who had resided in the area for 12months and earned gross income
of 100pounds per annum constituted the electorates.
5. The constitution introduced elective principle, thereby increased political agitations
and strengthened the spirit of nationalism in Nigeria.
6. There was the formation of a political party, The Nigerian National Democratic Party
(NNDP) founded by Herbert Marcaulay in 1923. It came also with a newspaper i.e
the Lagos Daily News launched in 1925.
PROBLEMS
1. The constitution isolated the Northern Province of Nigeria bringing a reflection of
Divide and rule known with the British policies in West Africa.
2. Majority of the citizens were disenfranchised by the constitution with such curious
conditions for elections.
 3. Aside the fact, the operators of the constitution were the British officials, the very few
Nigerians who were not even allowed to executive councils were predominantly
illiterates and stooges of the British colonial masters
4. The early polarization of the country to the North and South became the rudiments of
tribalism and sectionalism in Nigeria.

RICHARD CONSTITUTION OF 1946

FEATURES;
1. The constitution created a central legislative council for the whole of Nigeria.
This legislative council was enlarged, nor only to accommodate more opinions,
but also extend to the once isolated Northern region. The north has 9 non- official
nominated members.
2. The constitution also, provided for regional Assemblies in the North, East and
West to make laws and discuss legislations.Based on this, the constitution
formally divided Nigeria into three Regions. The Northern region had bicameral
legislature of a house of chiefs and a house of assembly, while the eastern and
western regions had one chamber each of house of assembly.
3. It made provisions for a new executive council, dominated by the British, officials
and the official appointed in 1943 and another one in 1947.
4. The constitution was intended to, promote the unity of Nigeria where the desire of
the diverse elements within the country are met and also allow greater
participation of Nigerians.
5. It enlarged the Nigerian representation in the legislative council,where for the first
time. Nigerian unofficial members became the majority members of the house.
6. The constitution linked the native authorities with the regime’s assemblies and the
regional assemblies with the central legislative council. This gave a semblance of
federalism federal constitution and federal political structure in Nigeria.
PROBLEMS;
1. Richard constitution was highly opposed and later roundly rejected by Nigerians, because
the governor did not consult with the people before the constitution was enacted.
2. The so called regional councils or assemblies were mere links between the center and
native authorities, their role were limited into sending their regional representatives to the
central legislative council in Lagos and to serve in advisory capacity to governor.
3. The constitution made little improvement on representations and participation, limited
franchise, the use of educated elites and autocratic power of the governor to preside over
both the legislative and executive councils
4. The division of the country into three uneven sizes, where the northern region was made
the 2\3 of the whole country became a minus to the eventual realization of a practice of
federalism in Nigeria.
MCPHERSON CONSTITUTION OF 1951
FEATURES;
1. The central legislative council was renamed the house of Representatives, consisted of
the president who was the Governor, 6 ex-official members, 136 members elected
through regional houses and 6 special members nominated by the governor, the northern
sent 68 members while the west and the east had 34 member each.
2. The central Executive council later known as the council of ministers. Made up of the
governor,6 ex-official members and 12 ministers with 4 ministers from each of the three
regions
3. The regional legislatures had a slight improvement as the western region became
bicameral like the north leaving the eastern region with one house. They were however
given more powers to legislate on certain subjects with the approval of the central council
in Lagos.
4. The regional executive councils came up with the lieutenant-governor,5 official members
and 9 ministers for each of the three regions of the country.
 5. The strength of the constitution was the initial consultation. This largely satisfied the
basic necessity in producing a made by people’s constitution.
6. Appreciable levels of participation representation were made with more powers granted
to the Regions; thereby it encouraged the true spirit of federalism.

PROBLEMS
1. The constitution was a quasi-federal one, where regional assemblies were given powers
to make laws for their regions on limited areas.
2. The implementation of the constitution ran into monumental crisis (A) the eastern house
of assembly crisis of 1953. (B)The motion for self government of 1953 as sponsored by
Anthony Enahoro and the humiliation of northerners in Lagos, the treat of secession and
the kano riots of 1953.
3. Central Ministers were to be selected from among the members of regional legislatures.
This made the ministers to feel loyal to their regions rather than the center, leading to
inter-regional frictions.
LYTTLETON CONSTITUTION OF 1954
FEATURES;
1. Basic provisions of the federalism were put in place with the division of powers between
the central government and the regions.
2. Rationalization of the public service, marketing boards and the judiciary.
3. Establishment of the office of regional premiers for the 3 regions and the creation of the
offices of the speakers and deputy speakers for regional legislatures (excluding the north)
4. Allocation of real law making powers to regional legislatures
5. Revision of the revenue sharing formula
6. Existence of the federal house of representative, the federal council of ministers the
regional executive councils and the regional legislatures.
7. Under the constitution, Nigeria became a federation of three regions i.r northern, western
and eastern regions.
8. The elements of unitary and the constitution of quasi-federal arrangement contained in
1951 constitution were removed
9. The federal nature of lyttleton constitution coupled with the democratically elected
legislatives drew Nigeria towards independence.

PROBLEMS
1. The failure of the constitution to give a uniform and just application of federalism in all
the component units, the deliberate variations noticeable in provisions and structures are
the main limitations to the attractions of the lyttleton constitution.
2. No provision was made for the office of the prime minister necessary in a parliamentary
arrangement of the pre-independent period.
3. It failed to provide for the second chamber of the federal level as is done in other
federations
The constitution contains no essential features to cater for the minority interest within the contest
of facing the dominant group like the northern region. Hence the fears of the minority where not
fundamentally allayed
The constitution failed to provide for a uniform electoral system through-out the country.
INDEPENDENCE CONSTITUTION OF 1960
From the far reaching and positive provisions of 1954 federal constitution and the
noticeable needed adjustments for an effective constitution; and as countdown to political
independence became imminent; the London constitution conference of 1957 and 1958 were
held. This led to emergence of 1960 independence constitution.
The 1957 constitutional conference was arranged mainly to correct some of the
deficiencies of the Lyttleton constitution of 1954. The conference made decisions to grant self-
government to the eastern and western regions, create the office of the prime Minister of the
Federation, established a second chamber (senate) at the federal level to make it bicameral and
adoption of Universal Adult Suffrage in the East, West, Lagos and Southern Cameroon while
retaining adult suffrage in the north.
The 1958 London Conference was basically focused on how to allay the fears of the
minority groups whose cries of marginalization and dominations from the majority ethnic groups
became intense. The issue of creation of more states and the adoption of granting fundamental
human rights were considered in solving their problems. The 1958 conference was used to
prepare the grounds for the 1959 federal election and the ultimate grant of independence of
Nigeria.
FEATURES
1. The Governor General (now an agent of the queen) became the constitutional or
ceremonial head of state, while the prime Minister was the executive head.
2. Detailed provisions were made on fundamental human rights as agreed upon in the 1958
constitution conference.
3. The constitution did retain the federalism previously adopted by the Lyttleton constitution
of 1954.
4. The independence constitution, which came into force on October 1, 1960, made Nigeria
a full-fledged sovereign state within the common wealth of Nations.
5. National pride, foreign affairs and diplomatic relations, trade relations and opportunities
to join international organizations opened for the country.
PROBLEMS
1. The central government was weaker than the federating regions, especially with the
northern region bigger than the two other regions put together. This should have been
corrected in the independence constitution.
2. The constitution was not entirely home based as it retained the British queen as the
constitutional ceremonial head of state and judicial committee of the privy council in
Britain continued to act as the highest court of Appeal of Nigeria.
3. The constitution became weak as members of the senate were appointed by the regional
governments hence they became stooges and served the interests of the regional
government rather than the interest of the central government.
4. The issue of region or state creation was not really specified. This became a problem
when attempt was made to create mid-western region out western region.

THE MAIN PARTS OF THE NIGERIAN CONSTITUTION

The 1989 constitution of Nigeria is divided into nine distinct chapters and 7 schedules.
The chapters have sub-parts. Inall, There are about 331 sections arranged under parts. The
following are the main parts;
Chapter i
This chapter contains the general provisions of the constitution and it has 2 sub-divisions.
PART 1; Contains sections like the supremacy of the constitution. The federal Republic of
Nigeria. States and Local Governments and the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria.
PART2; Powers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Sections (i); Legislative powers, Executive and Judicial powers, Local Government boundary
adjustmentprocedures for altering the constitutional provisions,Secularity of the state in terms of
religion, public goods and public security etc are contained in this part.
Chapter ii
This chapter deals with the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy. It
consists of sections such as
1. Fundamental obligations of government to the citizens
2. Political objectives, economic, social, educational, foreign policy objectives, directives
on Nigerian cultures. National ethic, mass media obligation and dutiesof the citizen.
Chapter iii
Citizenship; This chapter states the qualifications\conditions for Nigerian citizenship such as;
Citizenship and deprivation of citizenship.
Chapter iv
This chapter contains fundamental human rights with sections dealing with the following; Right
to life, Right to dignity of human person, Right to personal liberty. Right to fair hearing, Right to
freedom of thought, conscience and religion, Right to freedom of expression and press.
Chapter v
This chapter deals with the legislature i.e. the National Assembly and state house of assembly.
Composition of the senate. Composition of the House of Representatives etc. It also has sections
on the procedure for summoning and dissolution of National Assembly and QUALIFICATIONS
FOR MEMEBERSHIP OF National Assembly and Right of Attendance etc.
Chapter vi
This chapter deals with the executive authorities, the federal and state Executives. It also treats
sections like. Establishment of the Office of the president; Office of Governor, qualification for
election as president. Governor and Tenure of Office.
Chapter vii
It deals with the judicature. The power, procedure, qualifications for the establishment of the
supreme court of Nigeria. Establishment and composition of courts of Appeal, Federal High
Courts. State, sharia and customary courts.
Chapter viii
It deals with Local Government Commands. Establishment’s procedures, Divisions into wards
and boundaries, Periodic renewal of wards. Establishment of chairman office, Election of
chairman’s and his vice etc.
Chapter ix
This last chapter treats the federal capital territory-Abuja . Apart from items mentioned in the
chapter 1 to 9 there are other seven schedules in the constitution. However, the tentative date
scheduled for the constitution to become operational could not see light of the day because of the
excesses of the executive authority of the junta by then.
DRAFTING A CONSTITUTION FOR AN ASSOCIATION
The following are the procedures to be followed in drafting a constitution for an
association, group or body.
Preamble; This refers to the introductory aspect of a constitution. This normally comes before
the provisions of the constitution. It presents I a synopsis, the overall or overview of the mission
and philosophical undercurrents of the association or body.
Article 1; Name of Association
The following are the subjects under article one of constitution;
1. The name of the Association i.e. the name of such an association,club,department etc
shall be given and called ‘’………..’’ and acronym as ‘’…..’’ registered with……..
2. Secretariat of the association; the secretariat or office of the
association,club,department,group etc shall situated at address.
3. Motto i.e. the watchword of an association.
Article 2; Objectives|Goals
This article spells out the goals of the association; these shall be derived from the factors
responsible for the formation of the association. For instance, it is central objective of campaign
for democracy formed in 1993 to enthrone democracy in Nigeria and see the end of military
oligarchy.
ARTICLE 3; Membership
Here, qualifications for membership shall be given. Behaviors or thatcan disqualify a member or
preclude certain categories of intending members shall be contained in this article.

ARTICLE 4; Officers of the Association

The officers to be saddled with the responsibilities of the association and controlling machinery
shall be spelt out and assigned-roles and functions as;
The president Chairman
Vice president Chairman
Secretary
Assistant Secretary
Treasurer, Financial secretary, P.R.O. Auditors etc
ARTICLE 5; Election of officers
i. The provisions of this article will specify clearly how to elect the officers of the
association. Qualifications to vote and to be voted for. The procedures to be adopted
in the conduct of the election and in case of inconclusive elections. How to go about
it until a winner emerges.
ii. Tenure of office; the duration of office and what goes with each portfolio shall be
 expressly stated.
ARTICLE 6; Finance
A source of funding the association is stated. It could be through annual dues. Registration fees,
levies, donations or appeal funs etc.
ARTICLE 7; Discipline
If any association is to see the light of day, Discipline is necessary. Therefore, legal procedures
are stated for erring officers elected or appointed to get corrected or face the wrath of the
association. Wrath could be in outright expulsion, suspension or imposition of some payment of
fine etc.
ARTICLE 8; Quorum
The required number of members to be presented before a general or execute meeting can
convene.Shall be stated over a quarter, a half of the members depending on the nature of the
issue at hand.
ARTICLE 9; Amendment
This in most cases happens to be the last article of many constitutions. It specifies methods of
amending the constitutions and the conditions to be met before suchcould be affected and the
force of the amendment to supersede the old one.

THE FEDERAL SYSYTEM OF NIGERIA

FEDERATION
The word‘’fedrate’’ means to combine or to unite. Federalism is therefore a system of
government whereby many states or regions come together to establish a central authority
without necessarily relinquishing all their powers to that central authority. Thus, it is an
association formed by the states or regions that have agreed to come together.
Under this form of government, powers and functions of government are shared between central
authority and the state governments. As it has been explained earlier under federal constitution,
each of the state governments is independent of others and of the central government, especially
on matters that fall within their spheres of jurisdiction and competence. All the governments
(central and state|regional) are in co-ordinate relationship.A federal state can be defined as a
country where some states unite together to form a country.
The constitution of the country will distribute political power between the two tiers of
government such that matters that fall within the exclusive legislative list like aviation,
citizenship, currency, defence, census, external relations etc. will come under the jurisdiction of
the central authority; those that fall within concurrent legislative list like education, health care,
transportation, etc. will be jointly taken care of by both the federal and state\regional
governments; whereas those that come under the residual legislative list like chieftaincy matters,
local government councils etc. are specifically reserved for the state governments alone.
The states that come together under this type of political arrangement do so with a view to
pulling their resource together in order to protect their common interests.
FEATURES OF A FEDERAL SYSTEM
1. Supremacy of the constitution
2. Existence of bicameral legislature
3. Supremacy of the central government
4. The constitution is rigid and written
5. No constitutional right to break away. Against secession.
6. Judicial interpretation of the law by the Supreme Court.
7. Division of governmental powers between the central and component government of the
states.
BASIS FOR THE FEDERAL SYSTEM IN NIGERIA
There are many factors that may be responsible for a country adopting federal system of
government. However, we shall restrict ourselves to those factors that made Nigeria to adopt this
form of government. A critical analysis of these factors, shall definitely lead to a conclusion that
Nigeria is naturally, a federal society where any other political arrangement may not work
successfully. The following are the factors responsible for the federal system in Nigeria;
1. Existence of many ethnic groups; In Nigeria, there are more than three hundred and
fifty ethnic groups, scattered over the thirty six states that made up the country. The best
form of government where these people will feel secured is the federal system because it
 enables them to be grouped into states where they have a little autonomy and can develop
at their own pace.
2. Existence of many languages and cultural diversity; like 1 above, since the people of
Nigeria speak different languages and have different culture, federal system of
government is the best option.
3. Wide expanse of land; Nigeria is very big not only in population but also in land area.
Take for instance the distance from Badagry to Maiduguri and from sokoto to calabar. To
be able to administer the country effectively, the best form of government to adopt is
federal system that will give room for state governments which will administer smaller
territories carved out for them by the law of the land.
4. Population; Nigeria is big in population. It is the most populous in Africa and with a
population of 88 million people 1991 population census figure, the country cannot be
governed effectively under any form of political arrangement other than federalism. It is
the existence of other levels of government apart from the central government that has
helped in bringing government near to the teeming population scattered all over the
country.

5. Economic Reasons; Nigeria is a blessed country with large economic potentials. Lagos
is a cosmopolitan city with sea and airport that have great economic potentials. It is,
undoubtedly. The commercial nerve centre of Nigeria. The Niger Delta has large
abundance of crude oil. The agricultural potentials in the western and most Northern part,
abundance of tin, iron, and other solid minerals are found in the various parts of the
nation. These potentials, among other reasons made Nigeria opted for a federal system of
government.

6. Protection of the minority; In federation, members that constitute the federation are
bound by common agreement that determines that co-existence as a single nation. In
Nigeria, there are three predominant ethno linguistic groupings out of 400 others.
Federalism was adopted to protect the interest of these minorities in midst of other
dominant ethnic groups. The protection the minorities enjoys strengthens the nation as a
whole against external aggressions.

DISTINGUISHING A FEDERATION FROM A CONFEDERATION

Federation means the coming together of some states or regions that are not willing to
surrender all their powers to the central authority jointly formed by them. In other words, both
the central authority and the state authority or regional governments share political power among
themselves.
However in this type of political arrangement, the central authority is superior to the state
or regional governments. Once a state or region joins the federation, it cannot decide to pull out
or secede from it. The central authority is very strong and the system operates a written and rigid
constitution. Federation is more stable than confederation.
Confederation on the other hand, is the extreme form of federalism. The states that come
together under confederation are sovereign states. They only agree among themselves to co-
operate in some areas of common interest such as defence, external affairs, currency,
telecommunication etc. Confederation is a loose union and major powers or functions of
government are reserved exclusively for the component states. The central government is weak
whereas the component states are strong.
In this type of political arrangement, the component states are free to pull out or secede
from the union at any time they feel like. The system operates a flexible constitution and it is
politically less stable than a federation. The component state retains their sovereignty and
identity.
RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF NIGERIAN CITIZEN
Every citizen of a state has a number legal claim over the state he belongs to. It is these
claims that are referred to as ‘Rights’. Rights can be defined as certain privileges which every
citizen enjoys in a country irrespective of sex, tribe or creed. These rights can be classified as
political rights i.e. right to franchise which enables a citizen to take part in the government of his
country, directly or through freely chosen representatives. This means that he can vote for
candidate of his choice during election or stand for election himself as a candidate. legal rights,
basic or fundamental rights such as right to life, right to fair hearing, right to freedom of thought,
right to freedom of movement, right to peaceful assembly and association etc. These rights are
universally accepted as very important for human existence and they are contained in the
universal declaration of human rights of the United Nations organization which was adopted on
December 10, 1948.
These rights must be respected and protected by the government at all times. However, it
is disheartening to note that in most cases, these rights are often trod underfoot by the
government. Whenever this happens, the liberty of the citizens is at stake. In Nigeria we often
witness the suspension of democracy and its norms, as well as human rights and its applications.
Obligations on the other hand involve the citizens’ moral consideration in the discharge
of their civil actions in order to make government to be more effective. Obligations have moral
backing whereas Duties have legal backing.
However, both obligations and duties of a citizen are always considered together because
they involve those things that the citizen must do for his country in order to ensure the continued
existence of the country.
Some of the obligations and duties expected to be performed by Nigerian citizens
include; to be law abiding, to be loyal to their country, to pay their taxes regularly and as at when
due, to care for public property, to show respect for national flag, national anthem, other national
symbols, national values, to perform their civic responsibility to the state like voting during
elections etc.
It must be noted that rights and obligations goes hand in hand. The government and the
citizens must show signs of responsibility by performing certain functions to one another if the
country must continue to be in existence. For this reason, the constitution imposes certain
obligations and duties on the citizens and also provides certain rights to which they are entitled
from the state. These rights, obligations and duties are very important in order to ensure the
survival of the system.
Rights and duties are two sides of the same coin. They are correlative terms, where one
implies the other. One person’s right imposes a duty on another i.e. the other person has a duty to
respect such right and not to violate it. For instance, the Nigerian citizen has the right to be
educated and thus means that government has the duty of providing educational facilities. The
citizens also have the right to health facilities and also to choose the government of their choice,
and so on. This means that the government must build hospitals, clinics, make drugs available
and also allow democracy to thrive. In the same vein, the citizens are expected to perform their
duties to the government such as supporting it, paying their taxes, be law abiding, voting during
election etc. If this is done, things will go on smoothly in the country. Therefore, duty always
goes with right.

CLASSIFICATION OF RIGHTS
Citizen rights can be classified into three; (i) civil rights (ii) economic rights and (iii)
political rights. Irele (1993; 123-137) made clear distinction between constitution and specific
right. Constitutional rights are clearly stated in the constitution while specific rights are not. They
are referred to as ideal rights. Marshall (1964) identified some sets of specific rights ranging
from rights to moral, social, economic, welfare and security. To the right to live the life of a
civilized being according to the standard prevailing in that society.

Moral/social rights
These rights are the claims based on the conscience of the community or individuals. The
noticeable point here is that although morals/social rights have the support of the good sense of
the society. There is still no coercive power in Nigeria to enforce them as we cannot move the
court to seek am enforcement of these rights. For instance, the Nigerian government has the duty
to provide educational facilities. The citizens also have the right to good health facilities and so
on. This means that the government must build hospitals, clinics and dispensaries make drugs
available and also allow democracy to thrive. There has been series of industrial unrest by
concerned Nigerians because the government has not been able to provide adequately for these
rights. The best they could do was to go on strike to press for these rights. It should be noted.
However that it has been difficult to move the court to seek an enforcement of the moral and
social rights.

Civil rights
These rights relate to the person and property of the individual. These rights are called
‘civil rights’ because they relate to the essential conditions of a civilized life. Therefore the
courts can be mobilized for the defense of these rights.
Political rights;
These are rights to franchise, which enables a citizen to take part in the government of the
country directly or through freely chosen representatives. A citizen can vote for candidate of his
choice during election or stand for election himself as a candidate. He has the right to appreciate
or denounce the actions of his government. So that they may renew their confidence in their
rulers, or change them through a democratic process in case they forfeit their trust or goodwill.
The local and national houses of representatives are for the fulfillment of these political rights.

Legal rights;
These are rights which enable citizen to have free access to the courts of the land. Legal
rights are clearly stated in the legal system and unlike other rights is referred to as the ideal right.

Economic rights;
These rights relates to man’s vocation which is his engagement in a gainful employment.
Economic rights enable him to solve such problem as those of food, shelter and clothing. Every
person should have the right to work so that he may earn his livelihood. Economic rights also
include the right to bargain freely for remuneration, or to move from one employment to another
with higher wages or better convenience.

Natural rights;
Natural rights are those rights which are provided by nature. Nature in his wisdom gives
these natural rights to mankind by the simple logic of being human beings. Natural rights are
therefore inalienable and unrivalled. An example of these rights is the right to life which one
starts to enjoy immediately one is given be birth to. This right must be respected and protected
by the government at all times. It should noted here that these rights are not given by any statute
of the government and so cannot be taken away by any government.
EVALUATION OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES OF NIGERIAN CITIZENS
The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria spells out the responsibilities and
duties of the citizens to one another well as to the country.
There is no doubt that the performance of those responsibilities and duties will bring
orderliness to the nation’s body politic and make life more meaningful to the people. The
government itself shall in turn, be able to perform its roles adequately and effectively.
The duties expected to be performed by the citizens of this country are;
1. To abide by the provisions of the constitution of Nigeria, respect its ideals and its
institutions, the National Flag, the National Anthem, the National Pledge and legitimate
and properly constituted authorities.
2. To protect and preserve public property, and fight against misappropriation and
squandering of public funds.
3. To help enhance the power, prestige and good name of the country and to defend the
country and render national service as may be required.
4. To respect the dignity and religion of other citizens and the rights and the legitimate
interest of others and to live in unity and harmony and in the spirit of common
brotherhood.
5. To make positive and useful contributions to the advancement, progress and well-being
of the community where he resides.
6. To work conscientiously in his lawful and chosen occupation and to abstain from any
activity detrimental to the general welfare of other citizen or to the country.
7. To ensure the proper upbringing of his children.
8. To participate in and defend all democratic processes and practices.
9. To render assistance to appropriate and lawful agencies in the maintenance of law and
other.
10.To declare his income honestly to appropriate and lawful agencies and to pay his tax
promptly.
THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES OF GOVERNMENT TO THE PEOPLE
These include the following;
1. To protect the fundamental rights of the citizens and ensure that there is an impartial and
independent judicial system. Where fair hearing and social justice is available to all.
2. To protect the national economy by regulating economic activities in such a way as to
ensure maximum economic growth and promote national development and equality of
opportunities.
3. To ensure that democracy and social justices thrive in Nigeria. This has become
necessary because the citizen has agreed that the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a
state based on the principles of democracy and social justice. To this end. It is the duty of
government to conduct periodic free and fair elections so as to maintain stable political
atmosphere.
4. To provide security and welfare service for the people. The government of Nigeria has
established the Nigeria police and the state security service for the purpose of providing
internal security for the people and the armed forces like the army, navy and the air force
whichare charged with the responsibility of protecting the citizens against external
aggression.
5. It is the duty of government to provide basic welfare service which the citizens cannot
provide for themselves because of the huge amount of money that will be required. Such
services include adequate remuneration for those working, good shelter, old age benefits,
unemployment benefits. Until the unemployed gets employed. Good roads, hospitals,
airport seaports, school etc as the government is the greatest employer of labour in
Nigeria the government does this is order to provide job opportunities for her citizens.
Even in some countries government pay unemployment allowance to citizens that cannot
be provided with gainful employment.
6. It is the duty of the government to ensure peaceful co-existence between Nigerians and
her neighbors and between Nigeria and the rest of the world. Nigeria is the centerpiece of
our foreign policy and we have been playing a big brother role to other African countries.
In addition to this, we have bilateral relations with nearly all the countries of the world as
Nigeria is a member of notable regional and international organization.
7. The government is also to protect the economy by regulating economic activities with a
view to ensuring economic growth through careful economic planning.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES OF CONSTITUTED AUTHORITY TO THE

PEOPLE
1. To operate within the framework of the regulations setting up their organizations;
For instance, an institution like a polytechnic has regulations that guide its activities, and
the management of such polytechnic is not expected to do anything that is contrary to
these regulations.
2. To lead by showing example; it is not enough for a government for instance to preach
patriotism to the citizens white top ranking officials of the same government are
embezzling public funds on a daily basis. It is expected that those who lead must show
practical examples.
3. To show transparent honesty; it is expected that those who lead must show transparent
honesty in their daily activities. They cannot afford to be dubious in order not be bad
examples to the people they are leading.
4. To be fair and just; Those who find themselves in positions of authority, have a duty to
be fair and just in their dealings with the people. This is because all men and women are
fundamentally equal; they should also be treated equals. To treat them unequally is
injustice. For example, if two students commit the same offence and are equally guilty,
they should be given equal punishment. But if one is expelled from the institution while
the other is simply warned and pardoned, there would be no justice in such a judgment.
5. To respect the views of the people; Those in authority must recognize the fact that they
are occupying their positions of authority through the grace of the people and that they
are answerable to them. To this end, the views of the people must be respected. Whenever
the people want them out of office, they must be willing to leave.
6. To operate open door policy; Those in authority must always keep the people informed
 about their activities, since they are in office to serve them. This will give room for
constructive criticisms and suggestions from the people.

NIGERIAN CITIZENSHIP
SIGNIFICANCE OF CITIZENSHIP
Citizenship can be defined as membership of a country. For instance, Nigeria nationals
are citizens of Nigeria. These are the people that hold allegiance to Nigeria and can be identified
with it. It is important that every person must belong to one country or the other and hold
allegiance to it. Such country however, must reciprocate by protecting the person. The conditions
for becoming bonafide members of a country differ from one country to another.
A citizen is a person who has full political and civil rights in a country. He entitled to
claim these rights, either because he was born to parents who are themselves citizens of the
country or because he has acquired citizenship status by other methods, which the laws of the
land allow. This differentiates a citizen from an alien. Whereas an alien lives in a country for a
short period of time and cannot claim full rights, a citizen has the right to live permanently in his
country and is entitled to claim all his rights as a citizen.
THE PRINCIPLES AND BENEFITS OF CITIZENSHIP
Citizenship has the following principles;
Nationalism;this implies a strong sense of devotion which a citizen has for his nation. It
embraces both sentimental and practical activities which are directed towards foreign nationhood
or statehood.
A nationalist is a person who fights for the liberation of his country from imperial yoke.
He is also a person who favors or strives after the unity, independence, interests or domination of
his nation over others. It is expected that, a citizen of a country that is facing political and
economic domination from foreigners or colonial masters must put up resistance, by embarking
on struggles in order to free his country from oppression and domination.
The British that came to West Africa and succeeded in establishing colonial rule in order
to extend the area of influence and authority of the British Empire, did so in the spirit of
nationalism. In the same vein, it was rose against foreign domination and thereby succeeded in
gaining independence for their countries. Nelson Mandela and other members of the African
National congress were able to destroy apartheid in South Africa. The spirit of nationalism.
Patriotism; This means the act of showing strong support or commitment to one’s
country. A patriot is a person who strongly supports, loves and serves his fatherland. It is national
loyalty. A patriotic citizen will find it very difficult to shirk his responsibilities and duties
towards his country. It is only an unpatriotic citizen that will not care about what happens to his
country.
It is expected a citizen of a country must be interested in the survival and development of
his country. He must be ready to defend and protect it against external aggression. If he allows
his country to be over-run by enemies, he will then become a slave in his own country and
thereby lose his political and civil rights. This is the reason why a citizen, is expected to fight for
the protection of his country, to the last drop of his blood.
To be patriotic also means supporting the government of one’s country at all time,
respecting the country’s national leaders, national symbols like flag, the constitution of his
country.
BENEFITS DERIVABLE FROM NIGERIAN CITIZENSHIP
1. The citizens of Nigeria have a country which they can call
their own and which they can be proud of, just like citizens
of other countries are doing. The joy of this is that are not
refugees, who have no permanent homes.
2. Through Nigeria, their country, they become relevant in
world affairs because they can participate in the activities
of international organization, like U.N.O or participate in
international competitions like world cup, Olympic Games,
African Games etc.
3. Citizens of Nigeria live under a government and that
 government has a duty to protect their lives and property
against enemies within or enemies from other countries e.g.
Cameroonian invasion of Bakassi Peninsula.
4. Nigerian citizens have full political, and civil rights. Their
fundamental rights are protected by the government and
they can participate in the political affairs of their country.
In fact, they can aspire to the highest office in the country.
5. They are free to enjoy all the social amenities like
education, health care, transportation system etc. that the
government provides.
6. They cannot be restricted from participating in any sector
of the Nigerian economy like it can be done to non-citizens.

MODES OF ACQUIRING CITIZENSHIP

Citizenship has been defined briefly as the special status accorded to citizens by the state.
Consequently, there are three basic ways of acquiring citizenship, which include; Birth,
Registration and Naturalization. Some other modes exist though not usually specified in the
constitution of most countries. These are acquisition of citizenship through secession, honor,
unification and conquest.
Citizenship by birth; This citizenship is acquired through blood. Persons born by
citizens of a state automatically become citizens of that state by virtue of their birth by citizens.
A person born outside the country of his parents is also a citizen. In some countries like the
U.S.A. Britain etc. citizenship can be acquired by being born on the soil of these countries
irrespective of whether the parents are citizens or aliens. A person who acquires citizenship by
birth is naturally born citizen. In Nigeria, however, the method of citizenship is through
parentage, no matter where the child is born.
Citizenship by registration; two categories of people can benefit from this type of
citizenship. Any woman who has been married to a citizen of a state can register and become a
citizen of that state and every mature person born outside a state but whose grandparent is a
citizen of that country is also qualified to register and become a citizen of that country.
However, before registration is allow in each of these two cases. The married woman or
the mature person must satisfy certain conditions. First, he must be of good character, he must
take an oath of allegiance prescribed by that country, he must show genuine desire to domiciled
in the state and finally ha has to renounce his original citizenship.
Citizenship by naturalization; An alien can become a citizen of a country id he desires
and he is able to satisfy certain conditions prescribed by that country. Naturalization is the
process through which nationals of other countries are granted citizenship after satisfying the
necessary conditions prescribed by the law.
The conditions which are to be fulfilled before a person is naturalized differ from one
country to another, but generally speaking the conditions are;
a) The person must be full of age,
b) He|she must be of good behavior
c) He must show a genuine intention to be domiciled in that country and must have resided
in that country continuously for 10 to 15years.\
d) He must show a genuine interest or love for that country and must be prepared to make
contributions to her progress.
e) He must take the oath of allegiance prescribed by the country.
f) He must renounce the citizenship of any other country.
A naturalized person is issued the certificate of naturalization which qualifies him to enjoy all
the rights and privileges of citizenship. A person who acquires citizenship through the process of
naturalization is called a naturalized citizen.
 Honourary; the citizenship of a country could be conferred on a non-national of a country
because of his|her meritorious service to growth and development of the host country. It is
conferred by Act of congress and presidential assent or unanimous approval of parliament.
Conquest; Citizenship may be acquired by conquest. For instance, if a country conquests
another in a war, the citizens of the conquered country automatically become citizens of the
victorious country.
BASIS FOR THE WITHDRAWAL OF NIGERIAN CITIZENSHIP
Dual citizenship
In accordance to section 28(1) of the 1999 constitution, a person shall forfeit his Nigerian
citizenship if, not being a citizen of Nigeria by birth, he acquires or retains the citizenship of a
country, other than Nigeria, of which he is not a citizen by birth. Until early 90s, dual citizenship
was not recognized in Nigeria but dual citizenship policy was approved abd enacted into law by
way of decree by general Ibrahim babangida.
Renunciation
Section 29 (1) allows a citizen of Nigeria of full age who intends to renounce his
Nigerian citizenship to declare in prescribed manner for the enunciation. The individual
concerned ceases to be a citizen only when and after the president has caused the declaration
made to be registered.
Deprivation
The president may deprive a person other than a citizen by birth or registration of his
citizenship if it is discovered that such a person has, within a period of seven years after
becoming naturalized. Been sentenced to imprisonment for a term of not less than 3 years With
the exception of citizen by birth. Others may be deprived by the president if the records of
proceedings of a court or after due inquiry, the person has shown by his act or speech to be
disloyal towards the government or the person has during any war engaging Nigeria unlawfully
traded with the enemy or associated with any business carried on in such a manner as to assist
the enemy of Nigeria in that war or unlawfully communicated with such enemy to the detriment
of or with intent to cause damage to the interest of Nigeria.

THE BENEFITS OF CITIZENSHIP

A Citizen is different from a non-citizen in terms of the benefits he derives from his country,
which are not extended to a non-citizen. The following are some of the benefits of citizenship.

Enjoyment of political and civil rights;

A citizen can participate in the political activities of his country. He is entitled to join,
form or support any political party of his choice. He can aspire to the highest political office in
his country. He can stand as a candidate at an election or vote for a candidate of his choice.
A citizen has full civil rights. For instance, he has the right to education, to engage in a
profession or legal business of his choice and can claim all fundamental rights. (These are basic
rights which are very important for human existence e.g. right to life).
A citizen cannot be banished from his country and he cannot be prevented from entering
it at any time. He has the right to live in his country for life and can contribute his quota to its
development.
Security;
A citizen must be protected at all times by his government either when he is living within
the country or when he is sojourning in a foreign land (diplomatic protection). To ensure security
of the citizens within the country, the government maintains security agents like the police,
whose duty is the maintenance of law and order.
Citizen who are living outside the country are equally protected by the foreign offices i.e.
embassy which the country maintains in other countries.
Job Opportunities;
A citizen cannot be discriminated against in terms of job opportunities. For instance,
there are jobs that may not be given to non- citizens, so as not to jeopardize the security of a
country. Non-citizens may not be employed in the armed forces, police or allowed to hold
sensitive positions in other areas of the economy. A citizen is free to work anywhere and in
whatever capacity.
National passport;
A non-citizen cannot be issued with national passport of a country. This is reserved only
for the citizen of the country.
Nationals of a country cannot be refused entry into that country;
The rule, which is supported by the international convention on civil and political right of
1966 is that no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of the right to enter his own country.
 Citizens of a country are protected against extradition by their country to another country
except there is a binding treaty between the two countries.
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