The National Assembly has transmitted the 2026 Constitution Amendment Bill to the Houses of Assembly of all 36 states for consideration and approval, marking the next stage in Nigeria’s ongoing constitutional alteration process.
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Key Highlights:
- National Assembly transmits the 2026 Constitution Amendment Bill to all 36 state assemblies.
- At least 24 state Houses of Assembly must approve the bill for the process to proceed.
- State assemblies are expected to communicate their resolutions to the National Assembly.
- The 30-day timeframe set by the National Assembly is an administrative target, not a constitutional deadline.
- Proposed amendments include provisions on state police, women’s representation and local government autonomy.
- The National Assembly says it will take further action after receiving the states’ resolutions.
2026 Constitution Amendment Bill Sent to States
The transmission of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, was confirmed on Wednesday, September 16, by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana.
Ogunlana said the action followed a directive from the leadership of the National Assembly and was carried out in accordance with Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution.
Under the constitutional process, a constitutional amendment requires the approval of at least two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly, representing 24 states, before the alteration can proceed to the next stage.
The Clerk urged the state legislatures to consider the proposed amendments in accordance with their respective legislative procedures and communicate their resolutions to the National Assembly after completing the process.
30-Day Target Set for State Assemblies
Although the Constitution does not prescribe a specific deadline for the state assemblies to respond, the National Assembly has set a 30-day administrative timeframe for the resolutions to be communicated.
The National Assembly clarified that the 30-day period is an administrative target rather than a constitutional deadline.
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It also acknowledged the constitutional responsibilities and independence of the state legislatures in considering the proposed amendments.
According to the National Assembly, the transmission is intended to facilitate an orderly and coordinated process while ensuring compliance with constitutional requirements, due process and institutional cooperation.
The National Assembly said further action would be taken after receiving the resolutions of the 36 State Houses of Assembly.
State Police Proposal
Among the proposed constitutional changes is a provision on state police, which seeks to establish a dual policing structure involving federal and state police services.
The proposed state police framework has been a major component of the current constitutional alteration process. Reports on the bill indicate that it would establish separate federal and state policing structures, subject to proposed oversight and operational safeguards.
Women’s Representation
The amendment package also includes provisions aimed at increasing women’s representation in the federal and state legislatures through additional special legislative seats.
The proposed provisions provide for special seats for women in the Senate, House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly as a temporary measure.
Local Government Autonomy
Another area covered by the proposed amendments is local government autonomy.
The provisions seek to strengthen the financial independence of local councils and devolve additional responsibilities and powers to them.
The proposals form part of the wider constitutional alteration process now before the 36 State Houses of Assembly.
The outcome of the state-level consideration will determine whether the proposed amendments secure the constitutional threshold required for the process to advance.
