Cabinet of Nigeria
The Federal Executive Council , also simply known as the Cabinet, is the cabinet of ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and is part of the executive branch of the Government of Nigeria. The council's role, as written in the Ministers' Statutory Powers and Duties Act, is to serve as an advisory body to the President of Nigeria, who serves as the FEC's chairman. Members of the cabinet are appointed by and report to the President, who can dismiss them at will. The cabinet currently consists of 24 Federal Ministries, each responsible for some aspect of providing government services, as well as a number of parastatals.
History
The Federal Executive Council was established by Decree No. 1 of 1966, under the Constitution decree enacted following the 1966 Nigerian coup d'état which brought Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi to power. This decree granted the Federal Military Government unrestricted legislative powers across all parts of the country. Although the FEC was formally created, executive authority at the federal level remained vested in the Head of the FMG, who could act directly or through subordinates. Similarly, executive power at the regional level was exercised by Military Governors, who assumed all powers previously held by Regional Executive Councils. Initially, no new regional executive organs were formed, except in the Western Region, where a provisional Executive Council was established. Later, Decree No. 20 of 1966 provided for Executive Councils in all Regions, composed of the Military Governor, top Armed Forces and Police officers, and other members at the Governor’s discretion.The Supreme Military Council could delegate powers to a Federal Executive Council, predominantly composed of civilian Commissioners. A major structural change occurred following the coup of 29 July 1975, which led to the dissolution of key government organs including the Supreme Military Council, the Federal Executive Council, and the various State Executive Councils. Upon reconstitution, the SMC assumed greater central authority.
The SMC appointed the 25-member Federal Executive Council on August 6, 1975. Under the 1999 Constitution every State is required to have at least one Minister in the Federal Executive Council,49
Responsibilities and power
The cabinet has the power to:- Ensure the implementation of a uniform state policy in the areas of culture, science, education, health protection, social security and ecology;
- Manage federal property;
- Adopt measures to ensure the country's defense, state security, and the implementation of the foreign policy of Nigeria;
- Implement measures to ensure the rule of law, human rights and freedoms, the protection of property and public order, and crime control;