About Nigeria

The Federal Republic of Nigeria, with 90 m. people the most populous state in Africa, has had a federative structure since it gained independence in 1960. The reasons have to do with ethnic, linguistic, cultural, and religious diversity of the population which comprises approx. 250 different groups. During 22 years since 1960, Nigeria has had military governments, some of them with a strong tendency towards centralism. Since 1985, it is ruled by an Armed Forces Ruling Council which has pledged itself to restore civil government in 1993. In 1991, 9 new States were created, thereby increasing the number of Federal States to 30. The capital, Abuja, is a separate Federal Capital Territory. Elections were held in 1992.

Circumstances prevented a complete coverage of the State legislatures of Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bendel, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Gongola, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbie, Keffie, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, and Yobe.

Only 2, Bauchi and Lagos, were able to return the questionnaire in time for inclusion in the 1st edition of the World Directory of Parliamentary Libraries of Federated States and Autonomous Territories.