By staff Reporter Rukevwe Odeh

ABUJA — The National Assembly has forwarded the proposed 2026 constitutional amendment bill to the Houses of Assembly in Nigeria’s 36 states for consideration, marking another stage in the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution.

The document, formally known as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, was transmitted to the state legislatures on Wednesday, September 16.

The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, said the transmission was carried out in accordance with Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution and followed a directive from the leadership of the National Assembly.

Under the constitutional procedure, proposed alterations to the Constitution require approval from not less than two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly. This means that at least 24 state legislatures must approve the relevant proposals before the amendment process can move forward.

The state assemblies have been directed to examine the bill through their respective legislative procedures and communicate their resolutions to the National Assembly after completing their deliberations.

30-Day Administrative Timeline

Although the Constitution does not provide a specific deadline for state legislatures to respond to constitutional alteration bills, the National Assembly has asked the assemblies to communicate their decisions within 30 days of receiving the document.

Ogunlana, however, clarified that the 30-day period is an administrative timeframe rather than a constitutional deadline.

According to the National Assembly, the arrangement is intended to encourage an organised and coordinated conclusion of the amendment process while respecting the constitutional independence of the state legislatures.

The Clerk also stressed that forwarding the bill to the states should not be interpreted as directing the state assemblies on how to deliberate or vote on the proposals.

The National Assembly said it recognises the constitutional role of the state legislatures and would respect their independence throughout the process.

Proposed Reforms

The current constitutional review includes a number of proposed changes touching on governance and the administration of the country.

Among the proposals associated with the review are provisions relating to state police, local government autonomy and electoral reforms, while other proposals seek changes in areas of representation and governance.

The transmission of the bill now places the 36 State Houses of Assembly at the centre of the next phase of the constitutional alteration process.

Once the state legislatures conclude their deliberations and forward their resolutions, the National Assembly is expected to take the subsequent steps required under Section 9 of the Constitution.

The National Assembly has reiterated that the entire exercise will be conducted in accordance with constitutional provisions, due process and the respective legislative responsibilities of the federal and state institutions.