The National Assembly has transmitted the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, to all 36 state Houses of Assembly for consideration and approval.
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, saying the transmission followed a directive from the leadership of the National Assembly.
According to Ogunlana, the move was carried out in accordance with Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, which requires a constitutional amendment Bill to secure the approval of at least two-thirds of the state Houses of Assembly before the amendment process can be concluded.
He urged the state legislatures to consider the Bill in accordance with their respective legislative procedures and communicate their resolutions to the National Assembly after completing deliberations.
Ogunlana explained that while the Constitution does not prescribe a specific timeframe for state assemblies to communicate their decisions on constitutional alteration Bills, they are expected to respond within 30 days of receiving the Bill.
He, however, clarified that the 30-day period is an administrative timeframe and does not constitute 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 said the transmission was intended to facilitate the orderly discharge of the state assemblies’ constitutional responsibilities in the amendment process.
It added that the National Assembly would take the next steps after receiving the resolutions of the 36 state Houses of Assembly, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.
The legislature also reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the constitutional alteration process complies with the Constitution and principles of due process, institutional cooperation and respect for the legislative responsibilities of all tiers of government.
The consideration of the Bill by the state Houses of Assembly therefore marks another stage in the ongoing constitutional amendment process, with the outcome of their deliberations expected to determine the next procedural steps by the National Assembly.
