Nigeria has 36 states that each elect a governor to serve as chief executive of the state government.
The sole federal district, the Federal Capital Territory, is headed by a minister appointed by the president to oversee the administration.
All 36 governors are members of the Nigeria Governors' Forum, a non-partisan organization which represents states in discussions with the federal government.
Citizen of Nigeria by birth, at least 35 years of age, is a member of a political party and is sponsored by that political party are eligible for the office of Governor.
The constitution limits state governors to only two four-year terms in office.