The National Assembly has sent the proposed constitutional amendment bill to the 36 state legislatures, beginning the next stage of a process that requires approval from at least two-thirds of the state Houses of Assembly.
Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana said Wednesday said that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, was transmitted following a directive from the Assembly’s leadership.
The transmission was made under Section 9 of Nigeria’s Constitution, which requires constitutional amendment bills to secure the approval of at least 24 state Houses of Assembly before the National Assembly can complete the process.
The State legislatures have been asked to consider the bill under their respective rules and send their resolutions to the National Assembly after completing deliberations.
Ogunlana said the Constitution does not set a deadline for State Assemblies to communicate their decisions on constitutional amendment bills.
The legislatures are nevertheless expected to respond within 30 days of receiving the bill, he said.
He described the 30-day period as an administrative target rather than a constitutional deadline.
“The National Assembly recognises the constitutional responsibility vested in the State Houses of Assembly and respects their independence in the consideration of the Bill,” the statement said.
The National Assembly will determine its next course of action after receiving the resolutions of the 36 state Houses of Assembly, according to the statement.
The Assembly said the transmission was intended to support an orderly amendment process and reaffirmed its commitment to constitutional compliance, due process and cooperation among the country’s legislative institutions.
