The National Assembly has transmitted the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, to the 36 state assemblies for consideration and approval.
The transmission, which marks the next stage of the constitutional alteration process, was carried out by the Clerk to the National Assembly yesterday, September 16, pursuant to the directive of the National Assembly leadership.
The Bill was transmitted in accordance with Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, which requires a constitutional amendment to secure the approval of at least two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly.
In a statement signed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, the state legislatures were requested to consider the Bill in line with their respective legislative procedures and communicate their resolutions to the National Assembly after completing their consideration.
The National Assembly said the Constitution does not prescribe a specific period within which state assemblies must communicate their resolutions on a constitutional alteration Bill.
However, it said the state assemblies were expected, in the interest of an orderly and timely conclusion of the process, to consider the Bill and communicate their resolutions within 30 days of receiving it.
The National Assembly clarified that the 30-day period was an administrative timeframe and not a constitutional deadline.
It also acknowledged the constitutional responsibility and independence of the state legislatures in considering the Bill, saying the transmission was intended to facilitate the orderly discharge of their role in the amendment process.
‘The National Assembly remains committed to ensuring that the constitutional alteration process is conducted in strict compliance with the Constitution and in accordance with the principles of due process, institutional cooperation and respect for the legislative responsibilities of all tiers of the legislature,’ the statement said.
It added that upon receiving the resolutions of the State Houses of Assembly, the National Assembly would proceed with the necessary steps in accordance with the Constitution.
The Sixth Alteration Bill is part of the constitutional amendment proposals being considered by the 10th National Assembly.