ABUJA, NIGERIA — The National Assembly has transmitted the 2026 Constitution alteration bill to the 36 State Houses of Assembly for consideration and approval, marking a significant step in the ongoing efforts to amend Nigeria’s constitution and address longstanding governance and structural challenges.
The Deputy President of the Senate and Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Senator Barau Jibrin, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja. He said the bill, which contains 42 proposed amendments, had been sent to the state assemblies for their input and approval in line with the provisions of Section 9(2) and (3) of the Constitution.
“The National Assembly has concluded its work on the 2026 Constitution alteration bill and has transmitted it to the 36 State Houses of Assembly for consideration and approval. This is a historic moment in our democratic journey, and we are confident that the state assemblies will give the bill the urgent attention it deserves,” Jibrin stated.
The proposed amendments cover a wide range of issues, including devolution of powers, local government autonomy, fiscal federalism, judicial reforms, electoral reforms, and the creation of additional states. Other key proposals include the rotation of the presidency among the six geopolitical zones, the establishment of a national border management commission, and the strengthening of the independence of key institutions.
Jibrin explained that the bill had been drafted after extensive consultations with stakeholders, including traditional rulers, civil society organisations, professional bodies, and the general public. He said the National Assembly had received over 200 memoranda from various stakeholders and had incorporated the most critical proposals into the bill.
“This is a people-driven process. We have listened to Nigerians, and we have ensured that their voices are reflected in the amendments. The bill is a product of extensive consultations and rigorous debate,” he said.
The Deputy Senate President urged the State Houses of Assembly to expedite action on the bill, noting that the amendments, if approved, would address some of the structural challenges that have hindered Nigeria’s development. He said the National Assembly would work closely with the state assemblies to ensure that the process is smooth and timely.
“We have engaged with the Speakers of the State Houses of Assembly and the Conference of Speakers to ensure that the bill receives accelerated consideration. We are confident that the state assemblies will do the right thing,” Jibrin said.
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, also spoke at the briefing, urging the state assemblies to prioritise the bill. He said the amendments were designed to strengthen Nigeria’s federal system, improve governance, and bring government closer to the people.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reform our constitution and to address the structural imbalances that have held our country back. We urge the state assemblies to act swiftly and to approve the bill,” Kalu said.
The transmission of the bill to the state assemblies follows its passage by the National Assembly in August 2026. The bill requires the approval of at least 24 of the 36 state assemblies to become law. Once approved by the state assemblies, the bill will be sent to the President for assent.
Civil society organisations and political analysts have welcomed the transmission of the bill, describing it as a critical step toward constitutional reform. They, however, urged the state assemblies to ensure that the process is transparent and that the views of their constituents are adequately represented.
“The constitution is the grundnorm of our democracy. Any amendment to it must be done with the utmost care and with the full participation of the people. We urge the state assemblies to engage their constituents and to ensure that the process is inclusive,” said Aisha Mohammed, executive director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre.
As the state assemblies begin their deliberations on the bill, all eyes will be on them to ensure that the amendments reflect the aspirations of Nigerians and that the process is concluded in a timely manner. For now, the ball is in the court of the state assemblies, and the nation waits to see whether they will rise to the occasion.
