Presidential Transition Bill

A Bill formalizes the transition of executive power by defining timelines, responsibilities, and funding for handovers. It targets outgoing and incoming presidents, federal agencies, and transition councils to prevent governance disruptions.

Presidential Transition Bill Policy Overview

What Is This Policy?

A bill to formalise, fund, and regulate the transition of executive power between outgoing and incoming presidents and vice presidents, ensuring orderly, transparent, and accountable handovers of government.

Who Does It Target?

Outgoing and incoming Presidents and Vice Presidents Federal ministries, departments, and agencies during transition periods Presidential Transition Council (proposed) National Assembly transition oversight committees

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Establish a legally defined transition period with clear timelines, responsibilities, and funding Prevent disruption to governance during presidential transitions Ensure outgoing administrations cooperate fully with incoming governments Provide for transparent briefings and handover of state secrets, assets, and liabilities

Key Features

Current Status

Funding: Federal Government supplementary appropriation for each transition period

How to Access

N/A — this is a governance framework Bill; citizens engage through civil society and legislative process. Application method: Citizens monitor implementation through National Assembly oversight committees

Important Terms

Outgoing administration required to maintain full government operations until inauguration day Refusal to cooperate with transition process constitutes a constitutional violation All transition activities must be publicly reported within 60 days of new administration

Impact & Metrics

Nigeria's past transitions have been marred by institutional disruption and delayed policy handovers; a formal transition law would institutionalise the democratic norm of peaceful power transfer.

Official Resources

Website: www.statehouse.gov.ng | www.nassbng.gov.ng Contact: Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation — [email protected] Federal Republic of Nigeria — Policy Summary Document | March 2026

Legal Framework

The Presidential Transition Bill, when enacted, would operate under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Sections 135–143 on executive power and terms), the Presidential Inauguration Law, and the Finance (Control and Management) Act. It aligns with the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007, the Transition Monitoring Group's recommendations, and comparable transition legislation from established democracies adopted as models by the National Assembly.