NASS transmits 6th Constitution Alteration Bill to State Assemblies

By Abbanobi-Eku Onyeka

Nigeria’s constitutional alteration process has moved into a critical new phase, with the National Assembly (NASS) transmitting the 1999 Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, to all 36 State Houses of Assembly for consideration and approval.

The transmission was carried out by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, Esq., on September 16, 2026, following a directive from the leadership of the National Assembly.

The move activates the role of the state legislatures in the constitutional alteration process, as Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, requires approval by not less than two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly.

The Clerk has asked the State Houses of Assembly to consider the Bill in line with their respective legislative procedures and forward their resolutions to the National Assembly after completing their consideration.

30 days expected, but not a constitutional deadline
The National Assembly has clarified that although the State Houses of Assembly are expected to communicate their resolutions within 30 days of receiving the Bill, the period is not a constitutional deadline.

According to the Clerk, the Constitution does not prescribe a specific period for the State Houses of Assembly to communicate their decisions on a constitutional alteration Bill.

The 30-day period is therefore an expected administrative timeframe designed to promote an orderly, coordinated and timely conclusion of the process.

States take centre stage
With the Bill now before the 36 State Houses of Assembly, the next stage of the process rests with the state legislatures, which have a constitutionally defined role in determining whether the proposed alterations can proceed.

The National Assembly said it recognises and respects the independence of the State Houses of Assembly in considering the Bill.

It stressed that the transmission was intended to facilitate the orderly discharge of their constitutional responsibilities rather than prescribe the outcome of their consideration

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