The sovereignty enjoyed by the Federation is owned by the several individual persons constituting the people of the Federation of Nigeria who own the lands that together form the territory of Nigeria. S.14(2) of the 1999 Constitution acknowledges this ownership by declaring that (a) Sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria from whom government through this Constitution derives all its powers and authority. (b) The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government; and (c) The participation by the people in their government ensured in accordance with the provisions of this constitution.
— E.A. Agim, JSC. AG Kaduna & Ors. v. AG Federation & Ors. (2023) – SC/CV/162/2023