Constitution Amendment: National Assembly gives states 30 Days

Two-thirds approval required as Sixth Alteration Bill moves to 36 legislatures

By Henry Umoru, Abuja

The National Assembly has transmitted the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, to the Houses of Assembly of the 36 states for consideration and approval.

With the transmission, the National Assembly asked the state legislatures to consider the bill in accordance with their respective legislative procedures and communicate their resolutions to the National Assembly after completing their deliberations.

The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, disclosed this on Tuesday in a statement.

The transmission marks the commencement of the next phase of the constitutional alteration process and was carried out pursuant to Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and a directive from the leadership of the National Assembly.

The National Assembly also emphasised that the state legislatures remain constitutionally independent in considering the proposed amendments.

Section 9 of the Constitution requires a bill seeking to alter its provisions to be approved by resolutions of not less than two-thirds of the Houses of Assembly of the 36 states before the National Assembly can proceed with the alteration.

However, the Constitution does not prescribe a specific deadline for state Houses of Assembly to communicate their resolutions.

Ogunlana said the National Assembly nevertheless expects the state legislatures to complete their consideration and communicate their decisions within 30 days of receiving the bill.

He stressed that the 30-day period is an administrative timeframe and does not constitute a constitutional deadline.

“It is noted that the Constitution does not prescribe a specific period within which the State Houses of Assembly are required to communicate their resolutions on a constitutional alteration Bill.

“Nevertheless, in the interest of an orderly, coordinated and timely conclusion of the constitutional alteration process, the State Houses of Assembly are expected to consider the Bill and communicate their respective resolutions to the National Assembly within 30 days of receipt.

“For clarity, the 30-day period is an expected administrative timeframe and does not constitute a constitutional deadline,” he said.

Ogunlana said the National Assembly recognised the constitutional responsibility vested in the state Houses of Assembly and would respect their independence throughout the process.

“The National Assembly recognises the constitutional responsibility vested in the State Houses of Assembly and respects their independence in the consideration of the Bill,” he said.

He explained that the transmission was intended to facilitate the orderly discharge of the state legislatures’ constitutional responsibilities and not to dictate the outcome of their consideration.

He also assured that the National Assembly would adhere strictly to constitutional requirements and due process as the exercise progresses.

“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,” Ogunlana said.

The 36 Houses of Assembly are now expected to commence their respective legislative consideration of the Sixth Alteration Bill.

After receiving their resolutions, the National Assembly will determine the next steps required under the Constitution.

Ogunlana said: “Upon receipt of the resolutions of the State Houses of Assembly, the National Assembly will proceed with the necessary steps in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.”

The transmission of the bill to the 36 state legislatures brings the constitutional amendment process to a critical stage, with the required state-level approval now forming the next major step before further action by the National Assembly.