NATIONAL COMMITTEE ON GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES ACT

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

SECTION

I.   Establishment of the National Committee on Geographical Names.

1. Membership of the National Committee.
2. Functions of the National Committee.
3. Secretariat, Secretary and other staff.
4. Establishment and composition of State Committee.
5. Functions of the State Committee.
6. Establishment of fund.
7. Meeting and quorum, etc., of National Committee.
8. Regulations.
9. Interpretation.
10. Short title.

An Act to establish a National Committee on Geographical Names, with duties
among others of standardising procedure for naming or renaming of geographi-
cal features; and to provide for the establishment of a similar Committee for
each State of the Federation.

[1989 No. 46.]

[See section 11 (2)]

[Commencement.]

1. Establishment of the National Committee on Geographical Names

There is hereby established a body to be known as the National Committee on Geo-
graphical Names (in this Act referred to as “the National Committee”), which shall have
the functions assigned to it by this Act.

1. Membership of the National Committee

(1) The National Committee shall comprise the Surveyor-General of the Federation
as the chairman and the following other members, that is to say-

(a)        the Surveyor-General of each State of the Federation;

      (b)       one representative of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development;

(c)        one representati ve of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources;

(d)       one representative of the Geological Survey Department in the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development;

(e)       one representative of the Nigerian Postal Service;

(f)        one representative of the Political Department in the Presidency;

(g)       the Director of Army Surveys;

(h)        the Director of the National Library of Nigeria;

(i)         the Director of National Archives;

(j)      two representatives each of-

(i)         the Department of Geography in any two Nigerian Universities;
(ii)        the Department of Survey in any other two Nigerian Universities;

(iii)        the Department of Linguistics and Anthropology in any two Nigerian

Universities;

(k)        a representative of the Department of History in any Nigerian University;

(l)         a representative of the National Population Commission;

(m)       two other members to represent other interests, not otherwise represented.

(2) The Minister shall appoint the members specified in paragraphs (b), (c), (d), (e),
(i), (j), (k), (l) and (m) of subsection (1) of this section, after consultation with the appro-
priate authorities or bodies.

3. Functions of the National Committee

The functions of the National Committee shall be to–

(a)       develop principles, policies and procedures governing the use of geographical
names;

(b)       standardise the procedure for naming or renaming geographical features within
national and State boundaries;

(c)        receive proposals, when necessary, for the treatment of names from govern-
ment agencies and committees, private organisations and individuals for con-
sideration and approval;

(d)         approve, establish and maintain uniform geographical names usage throughout the country; and
(e)        prepare a Gazette of place names for the Federation and the States.

[Cap. C23.]

1. Secretariat, Secretary and other staff

(1) There shall be established a Secretariat for the National Committee.

(2) There shall be appointed by the Minister from the public service of the Federa-
tion, a Secretary who shall be the chief executive of the National Committee and have

such qualifications and experience as are appropriate for the person required to perform
the functions of that office by virtue of this Act.

(3) The Department of Survey Federal Ministry of Works shall provide such sup-
porting staff as may be required to assist the Secretary in the execution of the functions of
the National Committee under this Act.

(4) All officers of the National Committee shall be members of the public service of
the Federation, within the meaning of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
1999.

[Cap. C23.)

1. Establishment and composition of State Committee

(1) There shall be established for each State of the Federation, a State Committee on

Geographical Names (in this Act referred to as “the State Committee”).

(2) The State Committee shall comprise the following, that is-

(a)       the Surveyor-General of the State, who shall be chairman;

(b)       the secretary to each local government council; and

(c)        a representative of the Political Department, Governor’s Office.

6. Functions of the State Committee

(1) The State Committee shall meet at such times and places, as the chairman of the
State Committee or the Minister may direct, but in any case, not less than once a year for
the purpose of-

(a)        co-ordinating the place-naming activities at the State and local government
levels, in accordance with the guidelines issued by the National Committee;
and

(b)        submitting recommendations for place naming to the National Committee for
consideration and approval.

(2) The quorum for every meeting of the State Committee shall be six.

1. Establishment of fund

(1) The National Committee shall establish and maintain a fund, from which shall be
defrayed all expenditure reasonably incurred by the National Committee in the execution
of its functions under this Act.

(2) There shall be paid and credited to the fund established pursuant to subsection (1)
of this section, such monies as may, in every year, be approved by the Federal Govern-
ment for the purposes of the National Committee.

1. Meeting and quorum, etc., of National Committee

(1) The National Committee shall meet at such times and places as the Minister may
direct, but in any case not less than once a year.

(2) The quorum for meetings of the National Committee shall be ten.

(3) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the National Committee may regulate its
own proceedings.

(4) A member of the National Committee other than an ex-officio member shall hold
office for a term of four years and shall be eligible for reappointment.

1. Regulations

The Minister may make regulations for the purposes of carrying out or giving effect
to the provisions of this Act.

10. Interpretation

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires-

“Minister” means the Minister charged with responsibility for matters relating to
works;

“National Committee” means the National Committee on Geographical Names es-
tablished by section 1 of this Act;

“State Committee” means the State Committee on Geographical Names established
by section 5 of this Act.

11. Short title

(1) This Act may be cited as the National Committee on Geographical Names Act.
(2) This Act shall come into force on such day as the Minister may by order pub-
lished in the Federal Gazette appoint.

SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION

No Subsidiary Legislation