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 (FMG) 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 (SMC), 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 (FEC) on August 6, 1975. Under the 1999 Constitution every State is required to have at least one Minister in the Federal Executive Council (FEC),49 == Responsibilities and power ==