The National Assembly has officially transmitted the 2026 Constitution Amendment Bill to all 36 State Houses of Assembly for consideration and ratification.

 

Formally titled the *Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026*, the transmission was carried out following directives from federal legislative leadership, as announced in a statement on Wednesday by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana.

 

**Constitutional Process and the Two-Thirds Requirement**

 

In accordance with Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), any proposal seeking to alter the country's supreme law requires approval from at least two-thirds (24 out of 36) of state legislatures before the National Assembly can give final passage to the amendments.

 

Ogunlana urged the state assemblies to deliberate on the proposed changes using their respective legislative procedures and formally communicate their resolutions back to the National Assembly upon completion.

 

**Key Timelines and Administrative Expectations**

 

Addressing the timeframe for feedback, the Clerk clarified the expected schedule for state deliberations:

 

* **30-Day Administrative Window:** While the 1999 Constitution sets no explicit statutory deadline for state legislative votes on constitutional alterations, state assemblies are expected to submit their resolutions within 30 days of receipt.

* **Non-Binding Window:** Ogunlana noted that the 30-day target is an administrative guideline rather than a rigid constitutional limit, emphasizing that the federal legislature respects the independence and procedural autonomy of state lawmakers.

 

> "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 statement read.

 

**Next Steps in the Amendment Process**

 

The transmission enables state lawmakers to fulfill their constitutional obligations systematically. Once the resolutions from the 36 state assemblies are collated, the National Assembly will proceed with the final stages of the amendment process in accordance with due process and institutional cooperation.