As the hub around which the wheel of government revolves, the executive is the active force in government. As such, it performs a number of functions and exercises certain powers which are necessary for the survival of the political system. Some of these powers and functions of the executive are explained below.

In a palace coup that took place on 27th August, 1985, Major General Ibrahim Babangida, the Chief of Army Staff under the Buhari regime, emerged as the new Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation.