Constitutional Amendment: NASS Transmits Bill To State Assemblies

By Ayodele Oni

The next stage in the constitutional alteration process of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, has commenced as the National Assembly transmitted the bill to the Houses of Assembly of the 36 states for consideration and approval.

The transmission, was carried out on Wednesday,  by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, in accordance with Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

The Clerk, acting on the directive of the leadership of the National Assembly, requested the state legislatures to consider the Bill in line with their respective legislative procedures and communicate their resolutions to the National Assembly after concluding their consideration.

Section 9 of the Constitution requires a proposed constitutional amendment to secure the approval of not less than two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly before the alteration process can be concluded.

This means that the Bill requires the approval of at least 24 State Houses of Assembly to meet the constitutional threshold.

The National Assembly pointed out that the Constitution does not prescribe a specific period within which the state legislatures must communicate their decisions on constitutional alteration Bills.

However, it said the State Houses of Assembly are expected to consider the Bill and transmit their resolutions within 30 days of receiving it to facilitate an orderly and timely conclusion of the process.

The National Assembly clarified that the 30-day period is an administrative expectation and does not constitute a constitutional deadline.

In the transmission, the Clerk emphasised the constitutional responsibility of the state legislatures and their independence in considering the proposed alteration.

“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 transmission is intended to facilitate the orderly discharge of their constitutional role in the process,” the statement said.

The National Assembly also reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the constitutional alteration process complies with the provisions of the Constitution and follows the principles of due process and institutional cooperation.

According to the statement, the process will also respect the respective legislative responsibilities of the National Assembly and the State Houses of Assembly.

“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,” it said.

The National Assembly will proceed with the next steps in the amendment process after receiving the resolutions of the State Houses of Assembly.

The development comes as the 10th National Assembly continues its constitutional review process, with several constitutional amendment proposals undergoing legislative consideration.

The Bill had previously appeared among constitutional alteration legislation before the National Assembly during its 2026 legislative proceedings.

Signed by Ogunlana, the statement reiterated that the National Assembly would allow the State Houses of Assembly to exercise their constitutional powers independently while facilitating the completion of the alteration process.