TREATIES (MAKING PROCEDURES, ETC.) ACT

An Act outlines the procedures for negotiating, ratifying, and implementing international treaties. It involves the Federal Executive Council, National Assembly, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This ensures democratic accountability and legal certainty in treaty obligations.

What Is This Policy?

An Act prescribing the legal requirements and procedures for making, ratifying, and implementing international treaties to which Nigeria is a party, including National Assembly involvement.

Who Does It Target?

Federal Executive Council approving treaties National Assembly ratifying treaties Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs negotiating treaties Courts interpreting treaty obligations

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Establish a clear constitutional and statutory framework for treaty-making that involves the legislature, ensures democratic accountability, and provides legal certainty for treaty obligations.

Key Features

Executive Negotiation: President or authorised officials negotiate treaties on behalf of Nigeria. National Assembly Ratification: Treaties must be ratified by the National Assembly to have domestic legal force. Domestication: Some treaties require domestication through legislation before they are enforceable in courts. Treaty Register: Official register of all treaties to which Nigeria is a party.

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Active Coverage: All international treaties involving Nigeria Beneficiaries: Rule of law; international relations; citizens Funding: Federal Government

How to Access

Access ratified treaties through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs File complaints about treaty violations through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Courts may interpret treaty obligations in relevant litigation Application method: Engage Ministry of Foreign Affairs at https://www.mfa.gov.ng

Important Terms

Not all international agreements require National Assembly ratification — executive agreements are different Unratified treaties do not have domestic legal force in Nigerian courts Nigeria's treaty obligations are tracked by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Official Resources

Website: https://www.mfa.gov.ng Contact: Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Legal Framework

Enacted under Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution. Operates alongside Section 12 of the 1999 Constitution on treaty ratification, the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (1969) as applied by Nigeria, the Attorney-General of the Federation Act, and the National Assembly Act on legislative procedures for treaty implementation.