2026 Constitution Alteration: National Assembly Transmits Sixth Alteration Bill to 36 State Assemblies
By Pan Afric Reporters
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, marking the next stage in the ongoing constitutional alteration process.
The development was contained in a statement signed by Kamoru Ogunlana, Esq., Clerk to the National Assembly, on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, directing the respective State Houses of Assembly to consider the Bill in accordance with their legislative procedures and communicate their resolutions to the National Assembly.
The Bill, identified by the National Assembly in its legislative records as a 2026 Constitution alteration Bill, is now before the state legislatures for the constitutionally required consideration. (NAS
The transmission was made pursuant to Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which sets out the procedure for altering the Constitution.
Under the provision, a Bill seeking to alter the Constitution cannot be passed by either chamber of the National Assembly unless it is approved by a resolution of not less than two-thirds of the Houses of Assembly of the 36 states, among other requirements.
The Clerk therefore requested the state legislatures to give the Bill the requisite consideration and communicate their resolutions to the National Assembly after concluding their deliberations.
30-Day Administrative Timeline
The National Assembly clarified that the Constitution does not prescribe a specific period within which State Houses of Assembly must communicate their resolutions on constitutional alteration Bills.
However, in the interest of an orderly and coordinated process, the state legislatures are expected to consider the Bill and communicate their respective resolutions within 30 days of receipt.
The Clerk stressed that the 30-day period is an administrative expectation rather than a constitutional deadline.
“For clarity, the 30-day period is an expected administrative timeframe and does not constitute a constitutional deadline,” the statement said.
The National Assembly also emphasised that the transmission does not diminish the constitutional independence of the State Houses of Assembly in considering the proposed alteration.
According to the statement, the National Assembly “recognises the constitutional responsibility vested in the State Houses of Assembly and respects their independence in the consideration of the Bill.”
It added that the transmission was intended to “facilitate the orderly discharge of their constitutional role in the process.”
The National Assembly said the constitutional alteration process would continue to be guided by the Constitution, due process, institutional cooperation and respect for the legislative responsibilities of the different tiers of the legislature.
Next Step After State Resolutions
The National Assembly said it would proceed with the necessary constitutional steps upon receiving the resolutions of the 36 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,” the Clerk stated.
The latest development follows the established constitutional alteration procedure, under which proposals passed by the National Assembly are transmitted to the State Houses of Assembly for the required concurrence. The National Assembly has previously noted that only Bills passed by both chambers proceed to the State Houses of Assembly for concurrence. (NASS)
