The National Assembly has formally transmitted the 2026 Constitution alteration bill to the 36 State Houses of Assembly, giving them 30 days to consider the proposals and submit their resolutions.
The transmission, carried out on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, marks the beginning of the state legislatures’ role in the next phase of the constitutional amendment process.
The bill must secure the approval of at least two-thirds of the 36 state assemblies before the National Assembly can complete the constitutional alteration process.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Ogunlana said the transmission was made in accordance with Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
“The National Assembly has commenced the next stage of the constitutional alteration process with the transmission of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026 to the Houses of Assembly of the 36 States of the Federation for their consideration and approval.”
He explained that Section 9 sets out the special requirements for altering the Constitution, including approval by at least two-thirds of the state legislatures.
“Section 9 of the Constitution provides, among other requirements, that a Bill for the purpose of altering the provisions of the Constitution shall not be passed by either House of the National Assembly unless it is approved by resolution of not less than two-thirds of the Houses of Assembly of the 36 States of the Federation,” he stated.
Although the state assemblies have been asked to respond within 30 days, the National Assembly clarified that the period is administrative rather than a constitutionally prescribed deadline.
“The Clerk to the National Assembly has requested the State Houses of Assembly to give the Bill the requisite consideration in accordance with their respective legislative procedures and to communicate their resolutions to the National Assembly upon conclusion of their consideration.
“It is noted that the Constitution does not prescribe a specific period within which the State Houses of Assembly are required to communicate their resolutions on a constitutional alteration Bill.
“Nevertheless, in the interest of an orderly, coordinated and timely conclusion of the constitutional alteration process, the State Houses of Assembly are expected to consider the Bill and communicate their respective resolutions to the National Assembly within 30 days of receipt.
“For clarity, the 30-day period is an expected administrative timeframe and does not constitute a constitutional deadline,” the statement added.
The transmission places the state legislatures at the centre of the next stage of the constitutional review being undertaken by the 10th National Assembly.
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Unlike ordinary bills, constitutional alteration proposals require a special legislative procedure, including approval by the National Assembly and ratification by at least two-thirds of the state assemblies.
Ogunlana stressed that the transmission was not intended to influence how the state legislatures consider the proposals.
“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.”
He also reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to following the constitutional requirements throughout the exercise.
“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 next stage will depend on the decisions reached by the 36 State Houses of Assembly.
“Upon receipt of the resolutions of the State Houses of Assembly, the National Assembly will proceed with the necessary steps in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution,” Ogunlana said.