Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill

What Is This Bill?

The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bills represent the sixth round of constitutional amendments by the National Assembly since the return to democratic governance. The Sixth Alteration process, being driven by the 10th National Assembly (2023–2027), is widely described as the most comprehensive constitutional review in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic history. It encompasses over 40 bills at various stages of consideration, addressing fundamental issues of governance, representation, fiscal federalism, and institutional reform.

Who Does It Target?

Federal and State legislators, executive arms, and the judiciary Nigerian citizens, civil society, and advocacy groups seeking constitutional rights protections State governments and subnational institutions affected by devolution of powers proposals Women and marginalised groups seeking affirmative representation in elected and appointed offices Electoral bodies (INEC) and stakeholders in the electoral reform process Traditional institutions seeking constitutional recognition and defined roles Local government councils and communities affected by autonomy provisions

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Devolve more powers from the Federal Government to states and local governments (fiscal federalism) Achieve full local government financial and administrative autonomy Establish state-level policing through constitutional recognition of State Police Decongest the Exclusive Legislative List by moving key items to the Concurrent Legislative List Provide constitutional roles and recognition for traditional institutions Promote gender equity and women’s inclusion in elective and appointive positions Reform the electoral system to address pitfalls identified in the 2023 general elections Strengthen legislative oversight and institutional accountability mechanisms Grant citizenship by investment provisions to attract foreign direct investment Include tourism and related matters in the Concurrent Legislative List

Key Features

Devolution of Powers: Proposals to shift airports, fingerprints/criminal records, correctional services, and railways from the Exclusive to the Concurrent Legislative List, enabling states to legislate on these matters alongside the Federal Government State Police: Constitutional amendment to permit states to establish, fund, and operate their own police forces alongside the Nigeria Police Force, addressing longstanding security governance concerns Local Government Autonomy: Bills to entrench financial independence for local governments, preventing state governments from withholding or controlling LGA allocations from the Federation Account Gender & Inclusion Bills: Proposals for affirmative action seats for women in the National Assembly, State Houses of Assembly, and appointive positions; also includes disability and marginalised group representation Electoral Reforms: Bills to confer jurisdiction on the Federal High Court over electoral offences; streamline timelines for pre-election and election petition proceedings; and regulate inauguration of newly elected legislators Single-Term Presidency: A bill (HB.2360) proposing a single six-year term for the President and Governors in place of the current two four-year terms

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Active — Sixth Special Committee on Constitutional Review (House of Representatives) inaugurated February 26, 2024; Senate Constitutional Amendment Committee announced February 14, 2024 Number of Bills: Over 40 alteration bills at various stages (First, Second, and Third Readings) before the 10th National Assembly Target Completion: December 2025, avoiding conflict with electoral activities State Assembly Adoption: Bills passed by the National Assembly require adoption by at least two-thirds (24) of the 36 State Houses of Assembly under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution Previous Milestone: The Fifth Alteration (2023) under President Buhari achieved 21 constitutional amendments the most in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic including electricity sector devolution and local government/judicial financial autonomy Constitution Alteration Procedure Bill: A framework bill providing a structured timeline for the passage and adoption of Alteration Bills is pending within the 10th Assembly

How to Access

Citizens & Advocacy Groups: Engage your state and federal representatives; attend public hearings organised by the Sixth Special Committee on Constitutional Review State Houses of Assembly: Monitor bills transmitted by the National Assembly for mandatory ratification; coordinate with your state’s National Assembly caucus Civil Society Organisations: Submit memoranda to the House Committee on Constitutional Reforms and the Senate Constitutional Amendment Committee Tracking Bills: Use the National Assembly bills tracking portal at nass.gov.ng or legislative intelligence platforms (e.g., Plural Policy) to monitor progress of specific Alteration Bills Contact: Office of the Speaker, House of Representatives — houseofrepresentatives.gov.ng | Office of the Senate President — senate.gov.ng | National Assembly, Three Arms Zone, Abuja

Important Terms

Constitutional Alteration Procedure (Section 9, CFRN 1999): Amendments to the Constitution require passage by at least two-thirds majority in both chambers of the National Assembly and ratification by at least two-thirds (24) of the 36 State Houses of Assembly Exclusive Legislative List: Items on this list are the sole preserve of the Federal Government to legislate on; Sixth Alteration proposals seek to shorten this list Concurrent Legislative List: Items on this list can be legislated on by both the Federal and State Governments; Sixth Alteration proposes to add several items currently on the Exclusive List Fiscal Federalism: The constitutional and financial relationship between the federal, state, and local governments in the allocation and administration of revenues from the Federation Account State Police: Constitutionally recognised, state-funded and operated police services under the control of state governments, as distinct from the centralised Nigeria Police Force

Impact & Metrics

40+ alteration bills before the 10th National Assembly, the largest single-assembly constitutional review exercise in Nigeria’s history The 9th Assembly (2019–2023) achieved 21 constitutional alterations the most prior to the current process including electricity devolution and judicial/legislative financial autonomy Gender bills, if passed, could significantly increase women’s representation in the National Assembly (currently estimated at under 4% of seats) and State Houses of Assembly State Police provisions, if enacted, would affect policing across all 36 states and the FCT, with implications for over 220 million Nigerians Local Government Autonomy, if fully realised, would affect the financial governance of Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas and their service delivery to communities Single-term presidency proposal, if passed, would represent a fundamental structural shift in Nigeria’s executive governance model

Official Resources

Website: nass.gov.ng | houseofrepresentatives.gov.ng | senate.gov.ng Policy Document: Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended to Fifth Alteration, 2023) — available via placng.org and National Assembly portal Contact: Office of the Speaker, House of Representatives & Office of the Senate President, National Assembly Complex, Three Arms Zone, Abuja, FCT, Nigeria Summary prepared using the Policy Summary Template | Source: CFRN 1999 (as amended), NASS Bills Track, National Assembly of Nigeria, ConstitutionNet, Plural Policy | March 2026

Legal Framework

The Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bills operate under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, requiring a two-thirds majority in both chambers of the National Assembly and ratification by at least 24 State Houses of Assembly. As constitutional amendments, they bear supreme authority under Section 1. The Sixth Alteration process is driven by the 10th National Assembly's constitutional reform priorities including devolution, electoral reforms, and institutional strengthening.