Vivian Benjamin

National Assembly of Nigeria (NASS)

The National Assembly of Nigeria (NASS) is the democratically elected body that represents the interests of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and its people, makes laws for Nigeria and holds the Government of Nigeria to account. The National Assembly (NASS) is the nation's highest legislature, whose power to make laws is summarized in chapter one, section four of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution. Sections 47-49 of the 1999 Constitution state inter alia that "There shall be a National Assembly (NASS) for the federation which shall consist of two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives"​. The Senate is one of the Chambers in Nigeria's bicameral legislature, the National Assembly. The Senate is headed by the President of the Senate assisted by the Deputy President of the Senate. These Presiding officers serve as political heads. There are one hundred and nine (109) members in the Senate corresponding to the 109 senatorial districts in the country. Senatorial Districts are evenly distributed among the thirty six states. Each state has three senatorial districts while the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja has just one senatorial district. The House of Representatives is the second chamber in Nigeria's bicameral legislature, the National Assembly. The House of Representatives is headed by the Speaker assisted by the Deputy Speaker. These Presiding officers serve as political heads. There are three hundred and sixty (360) members in the House of Representatives representing the 360 Federal Constituencies the country is divided into based on population.