The House of Representatives has approved a significant increase in campaign spending limits for candidates contesting elective offices in Nigeria, as part of ongoing amendments to the Electoral Act 2022 ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The decision was taken on Thursday during plenary, following clause-by-clause consideration of a report on the proposed amendments to the electoral law.

Under the approved changes, the maximum amount a presidential candidate can spend on electioneering campaigns was increased from ₦5 billion to ₦10 billion.

Spending limits for other elective offices were also substantially reviewed upward. Governorship candidates can now spend up to ₦3 billion, an increase from ₦1 billion. The cap for senatorial candidates was raised from ₦100 million to ₦500 million, while candidates for the House of Representatives can now spend up to ₦250 million, up from ₦70 million.

At the state level, candidates for State Houses of Assembly will be allowed to spend a maximum of ₦100 million, compared to the previous ₦30 million limit.

For local government elections, chairmanship candidates can now spend up to ₦100 million, up from ₦30 million, while councillorship candidates’ spending limit was increased from ₦5 million to ₦10 million.

In addition, the House approved a sharp increase in the maximum amount an individual or organisation can donate to a candidate. The donation ceiling was raised from ₦50 million to ₦500 million, with lawmakers citing economic realities and the rising cost of political campaigns as justification.

The amendments form part of broader legislative efforts by the National Assembly to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral framework ahead of the 2027 polls.

Recall that the House had earlier approved another major amendment mandating the real-time electronic transmission of election results, a reform widely advocated by civil society groups and election observers.

The proposed amendments will take effect once they are concurred to by the Senate and assented to by the President.