Nigeria’s 36 State Houses of Assembly are set to consider a sweeping constitutional amendment bill covering 12 areas of governance, including electoral reforms, state police, local government administration and devolution of powers.
The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 Sixth Alteration Bill, 2026, was transmitted to the state legislatures on Wednesday, September 16, marking the next stage of the constitutional amendment process.
“The National Assembly has commenced the next stage of the constitutional alteration process with the transmission of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 Sixth Alteration Bill, 2026 to the Houses of Assembly of the 36 States of the Federation for their consideration and approval.
“The Clerk to the National Assembly has, pursuant to the directive of the leadership of the National Assembly, transmitted the Bill to the respective State Houses of Assembly in accordance with Section 9 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended today, 16th September, 2026,” Ogunlana stated.
The sixth alteration focuses on 12 thematic areas: electoral reforms, judicial reforms, security and policing, local government administration, inclusive governance and citizenship, the legislature, devolution of powers, human rights, fiscal reforms, strengthening of institutions, traditional institutions, and the creation of states and local governments.
Ogunlana explained that Section 9 of the Constitution sets out specific requirements for altering the country’s grundnorm, including approval by resolutions of not less than two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly.
The Constitution provides that a bill seeking to alter its provisions “shall not be passed by either House of the National Assembly unless it is approved by resolution of not less than two-thirds of the Houses of Assembly of the 36 States of the Federation.”
The transmission places the State Houses of Assembly at the centre of the next phase of the constitutional amendment process, as they are required to consider the proposed alterations and communicate their decisions to the National Assembly.
Ogunlana said he had requested the State Houses of Assembly to give the bill the requisite consideration in line with their respective legislative procedures and communicate their resolutions to the National Assembly after completing their deliberations.
He, however, clarified that the Constitution does not prescribe a specific period within which State Houses of Assembly must communicate their resolutions on a constitutional alteration bill.
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“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,” Ogunlana said.
He stressed that the 30-day period should not be misconstrued as a constitutional deadline, describing it instead as an administrative timeframe intended to facilitate the orderly conclusion of the process.
“For clarity, the 30-day period is an expected administrative timeframe and does not constitute a constitutional deadline,” he stated.
Ogunlana further said the National Assembly recognized the constitutional responsibility vested in the State Houses of Assembly and would respect their independence in considering the proposed constitutional alterations.
“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,” he said.
He added that the National Assembly would proceed with the necessary constitutional steps after receiving the resolutions of the State Houses of Assembly.
“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,” Ogunlana said.
The development follows the National Assembly’s consideration of constitutional amendment proposals before embarking on its annual recess.
Except for the State Police Bill, which was voted on and supported by 311 members across party lines on Thursday, July 23, 2026, the House of Representatives did not consider or pass other constitution-related bills before proceeding on recess.
Section 9,1, of the 1999 Constitution provides that the National Assembly may, subject to the provisions of the section, alter any of the provisions of the Constitution.
Section 9,2, provides that a constitutional alteration bill, other than one to which Section 8 applies, shall not be passed by either chamber of the National Assembly unless it is supported by the votes of not less than a two-thirds majority of all members of that chamber and approved by resolutions of the Houses of Assembly of not less than two-thirds of all the states.
For amendments to Section 9 itself, Section 8 or Chapter IV of the Constitution, Section 9,3, requires the support of not less than a four-fifths majority of all members of each chamber of the National Assembly, as well as approval by resolutions of the Houses of Assembly of not less than two-thirds of all states.
The State Houses of Assembly will therefore deliberate on the proposed amendments and communicate their resolutions to the National Assembly before the next constitutional steps are taken.
Polity Watch Online
