Constitution Alteration (Population Census) Bill

What Is This Bill?

The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) (Population Census) Bill, 2025 (HB. 2058) is a proposed constitutional amendment introduced in the House of Representatives on 6th February, 2025 by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, and six co-sponsors. The Bill seeks to alter relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution governing the conduct, management, and legal framework for population census in Nigeria, strengthening the constitutional basis for a credible, timely, and nationally binding census process that underpins resource allocation, constituency delimitation, and national planning. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (the very document being amended, particularly provisions on the National Population Commission); National Population Commission Act; Statistics Act 2007

The National Population Commission (NPC) the constitutional body responsible for conducting and managing population censuses The Federal Government, States, and Local Governments that rely on census data for revenue sharing, budget planning, and infrastructure allocation The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which depends on population data for constituency delimitation and voter registration Federal and state legislators whose constituency boundaries and political representation are determined by census figures Nigerian citizens, communities, and civil society organisations with a stake in accurate demographic data International development partners, UN agencies, and multilateral institutions that use Nigerian population data for aid and programme planning

Who Does It Target?

The National Population Commission (NPC) as the constitutional body for conducting censuses. State and local governments participating in the census exercise. All Nigerian citizens and residents to be enumerated in the census. The National Assembly reviewing the constitutional amendment.

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Strengthen the constitutional framework governing Nigeria's population census to ensure it is conducted regularly, transparently, and on a legally binding schedule Clarify and reinforce the exclusive mandate of the National Population Commission to conduct, supervise, and publish census results without political interference Establish clear constitutional timelines for census conduct to prevent the chronic delays that have left Nigeria relying on extrapolated population estimates Ensure census results are used as the authoritative basis for revenue allocation under the Federation Account, constituency delimitation, and national development planning Align Nigeria's constitutional census provisions with contemporary demographic standards and the UN Principles and Recommendations for Population and Housing Censuses

Key Features

Constitutional Alteration: Proposes amendments to the 1999 Constitution likely targeting the Third Schedule (which establishes the National Population Commission) and provisions dealing with census conduct and the use of results Mandatory Census Schedule: Expected to entrench a constitutionally mandated census interval addressing the failure to conduct a census since 2006, a gap of nearly two decades NPC Mandate Reinforcement: Strengthens the exclusive constitutional authority of the National Population Commission to plan, conduct, and publish census figures, insulating the process from executive or legislative interference Census Data as Governance Baseline: Anchors the use of verified census results as the legal basis for revenue-sharing formulas, legislative seat allocation, and federal character determinations Sixth Alteration Series: Part of a broader package of constitutional alteration bills (HB. 2057–2061) introduced simultaneously by the Speaker on 6th February 2025, targeting multiple governance reform areas National Assembly Sponsorship: The Bill is co-sponsored by the Speaker of the House signalling strong leadership commitment to advancing this constitutional reform

Current Status

Legislative Stage: First Reading — House of Representatives, Thursday 6th February 2025 (Order Paper No. 99, 10th National Assembly, 2nd Session) Next Steps: The Bill will proceed to Second Reading for debate on its general principles, followed by referral to the relevant House Committee for detailed consideration, public hearings, and a report to the full House Constitutional Process: As a constitutional alteration bill, it requires passage by a two-thirds majority of the National Assembly and ratification by at least 24 of Nigeria's 36 State Houses of Assembly before taking effect Census Background: Nigeria's last census was conducted in 2006; a planned 2023 census was postponed indefinitely, making constitutional reform of the census framework a matter of national urgency Companion Bills: Introduced alongside four other constitutional alteration bills on the same day covering indigene status, citizenship by investment, tourism, and the Office of the Accountant-General as part of a coordinated governance reform agenda

How to Access

Members of the Public: Track the Bill's progress through the National Assembly website (nass.gov.ng); participate in public hearings when announced by the relevant House Committee Civil Society & Professional Bodies: Submit memoranda to the House Committee when the Bill is referred for consideration; engage with legislators during the public hearing stage State Governments: Monitor the Bill's passage, state legislatures will be required to vote on ratification once the Bill passes the National Assembly National Population Commission: Engage with the legislative process to ensure operational feasibility of any constitutionally mandated census timelines Contact: House of Representatives, National Assembly Complex, Three Arms Zone, Abuja | nass.gov.ng | Office of the Speaker: speaker.houseofrepresentatives.gov.ng

Important Terms

Constitutional Alteration: A formal amendment to the 1999 Constitution, requiring a supermajority in the National Assembly and ratification by two-thirds of State Assemblies National Population Commission (NPC): The independent federal body established under the Constitution with exclusive responsibility for conducting and managing population censuses in Nigeria Third Schedule: The part of the 1999 Constitution that lists Federal Executive Bodies, including the NPC, and defines their composition and functions Revenue Allocation: The constitutionally mandated sharing of Federation Account proceeds among the Federal, State, and Local Government levels directly influenced by population data First Reading: The formal introduction of a Bill in the legislature, recording its title and sponsor; no debate occurs at this stage Sixth Alteration: The current series of constitutional amendment bills in the 10th National Assembly, continuing Nigeria's incremental constitutional reform process

Impact & Metrics

Nigeria has not conducted a census since 2006, all current population figures (~220 million) are projections; a constitutional mandate for regular censuses would end this governance gap Revenue allocation under the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) is partly population-based; outdated census data distorts billions of naira in monthly distributions across 36 states and 774 LGAs INEC's constituency delimitation which determines the number of federal and state legislative seats per state is constitutionally required to be based on population; accurate census data is therefore critical for electoral equity The Bill is part of a 5-bill constitutional reform package introduced by the Speaker, reflecting the 10th Assembly's stated commitment to institutional governance reform Successful passage and ratification would require agreement from at least 24 state legislatures, making it one of the most significant constitutional exercises in the current assembly's tenure

Official Resources

National Assembly of Nigeria: nass.gov.ng House of Representatives Order Paper No. 99 Thursday, 6th February, 2025 (10th National Assembly, 2nd Session) National Population Commission: population.gov.ng Contact: Clerk of the House of Representatives, National Assembly Complex, Three Arms Zone, Abuja, Nigeria Summary prepared using the Policy Summary Template | Source: House of Representatives Order Paper No. 99, 6th February, 2025; Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999; National Population Commission Act | March 2026

Legal Framework

Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (the very document being amended, particularly provisions on the National Population Commission); National Population Commission Act; Statistics Act 2007