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Functions of the Federal Government of Nigeria
The country, Nigeria, is known as a Federal Republic, it is the President that exercise the executive power. The president is not only the head of state, he is also the head of government, and in charge of the multi-party system.
Nigerian politics revolve around a framework of a federal, presidential, and representative democratic republic. The executive power is exercise by the government.
The Legislative power is exercise by the Nigerian National Assembly, which is made up of two chambers: the House of Representatives and also the Senate. These two chambers constitute the law-making arm of government in Nigeria, and it is also referred to as the National Assembly.
The statutory responsibility of the National Assembly is to serve as a check on the other arm of government, example, the executive arm of government. The judiciary made up one of the three arms of government in Nigeria, but the Supreme Court of Nigeria is the highest, and was established immediately after Nigeria gained her independence.
The Nigerian Federal Government is practicing Baron de Montesquieu’s theory, which has to do with the separation of powers, which is in line with the United States of America’s system of government. The doctrine of checks and balances is also practiced by the Nigerian Federal Government.
Functions of the Nigerian Federal Government:
The federal government of Nigeria is saddled with numerous responsibilities. When the country gained independence in 1960, there was much to do to meet the yearning of the people. However, in this article, I am going to explain a good number of the functions of the Nigerian Federal Government.
1. Nigerian Federal Government Maintains Law and Order
It is one of the most important responsibility of the Nigerian federal government to make sure that, the Nigerian federation is kept intact by ensuring that, law and order are maintained. It is such duty on the part of the Nigerian federal government that bring about peace and tranquillity in the nation.
In achieving this noble goal, the police, the armed forces, and also the court of law, have swung into action with a view to protect the rights and liberties of Nigerian citizens and its residents within the country.
Individuals’ conducts and behaviours living together and within the Nigerian society have been regulated in order for them to conform to the laid down rules and regulations, even as those violating the laws are punished.
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2. The Nigerian Federal Government Protects Lives and Properties
Another function of the Nigerian federal government was to make sure that, the lives of its citizenry and their properties are protected. The Nigerian federal government protection of its citizenry covers those living within the country and those living outside the country.
And this function of the Nigerian federal government has provided Nigerian citizens to enjoy right to life and to also own properties and use these properties. This aspect of the Nigerian federal government function is very important, since it will safeguard Nigerian citizens from any threat to life.
3. The Nigerian Federal Government Promotes Democracy and Social Justice
Democracy is reputed to be the best form of government, since the system encouraged political inclusiveness and participatory governance. In other words, democracy is the government of the people, by the people and for the people, according to Abraham Lincoln.
And it is a system that promotes social justice. Going by this, it has been the function of the Nigerian federal government to promote the system of democracy, as well as, promote social justice for the purpose of ensuing that, Nigerian citizens fully enjoy their rights, as well as realized their individual potentials.
4. The Nigerian Federal Government Provides Social Welfare Services
It is the responsibility of the Nigerian federal government to provide social welfare for its citizenry, and so, through the internally generated revenue, a number of resources have been harnessed by the federal government, and revenue gotten from these resources have been used to provide some basic life’s necessity for the Nigerian citizens.
Some of these basic life’s necessity include, road and hospital and pipe borne water and electricity as well as, education among other important services, such that would help improved the livelihood of the Nigerian citizens.
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5. The Nigerian Federal Government Promotes Economic Development
Promotion of the economic development has remained one of the functions of the Nigerian federal government, therefore, it is the responsibility of the Nigerian federal government to ensure that, good fiscal policies as well as, good monetary policies are pursued for the purpose of promoting social activities and economic development and growth.
It is incumbent on the part of the Nigerian federal government to also pursue programmes that will advance the country in all ramifications for the good and well being of the people.
6. The Nigerian Federal Government Protects Human Rights
Human rights protection is one of the functions of the Nigerian federal government, and this to the government, is a priority, and so, what the Nigerian federal government does is to make sure that the fundamental rights of every of its citizenry is protected.
This is one of the reasons, why there is an advocacy that the Nigerian federal government should allow the judiciary to remain independent in its operations, so as to Carry out its statutory functions without favour or fear, particularly, when any Nigerian citizen attempt to sue for the purpose of redress, when someone infringed on their rights.
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7. The Nigerian Federal Government Maintains External Relations
External relations is very important to the growth and development of Nigerian nation, that is why, it is mandatory for the Nigerian federal government to make sure that, every external relations are maintained.
Apart from economic development and growth, maintaining good external relations with other foreign country by the Nigerian federal government is a good idea and a welcome development, since such relations can foster peaceful co+existence between and among the Nigerian and other country citizens.
8. The Nigerian Federal Government Provides Employment Opportunities
One of the core functions of the Nigerian federal government has been to provide employment for its teeming citizens. The Nigerian federal government will go about this by promoting and providing employment opportunities for its people.
As part of this effort, it is expected of the Nigerian federal government to make sure that, enabling environment is provided, as a way of encouragement to its citizenry to avail themselves of such opportunities to better themselves.
The Nigerian federal government will achieve this by given out subsidy, as well as, reducing the excise duty on importation and cut in taxes.
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Conclusion
Nigerian politics revolved around a framework of a federal, and presidential, and representative democratic republic. The executive power as I said earlier is exercised by the government.
Legislative power is exercised by the Nigerian National Assembly, which is made up of two chambers: the House of Representatives and also the Senate. These two chambers constituted the law-making arm of government in Nigeria, and it is also referred to as the National Assembly.
