Council of State (Nigeria)

The Nigerian Council of State is an organ of the Nigerian Government. Its functions include advising the executive on policy making.

Composition

The Council of State consists of the following persons:

• President, who is the Chairman;
• Vice-President, who is the Deputy Chairman;
• All former Presidents of the Federation and all former Heads of the Government of the Federation;
• All former Chief Justices of Nigeria;
• President of the Senate;
• Speaker of the House of Representatives;
• All the Governors of the states of the Federation; and
• Attorney-General of the Federation.

Duties

The council has the following responsibilities:
1. Advise the President in the exercise of his powers with respect to the:-

• National population census and compilation, publication and keeping of records and other information concerning the same;
• Prerogative of mercy;
• Award of national honours;
• The Independent National Electoral Commission (including the appointment of members of that Commission);
• The National Judicial Council (including the appointment of the members, other than ex-officio members of that Council);
• The National Population Commission (including the appointment of members of that Commission); and

2. Advise the President whenever requested to do so on the maintenance of public order within the Federation or any part thereof and on such other matters as the President may direct.

References

• 1999 Constitution of Nigeria