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

The Bill, titled the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, was sent to the state legislatures following a directive from the leadership of the National Assembly.

The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

Ogunlana said the transmission was in accordance with Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, which requires at least two-thirds of the State Houses of Assembly to approve a constitutional amendment before the National Assembly can proceed with the alteration.

He urged the state assemblies to consider the Bill in accordance with their respective legislative procedures and forward their resolutions to the National Assembly after concluding deliberations.

According to him, the Constitution does not prescribe a specific deadline for state assemblies to communicate their decisions on amendment Bills. However, the National Assembly expects the lawmakers to respond within 30 days of receiving the Bill.

He clarified that the 30-day period is an administrative timeframe and not a constitutional deadline.

“The National Assembly recognises the constitutional responsibility vested in the State Houses of Assembly and respects their independence in the consideration of the Bill,” Ogunlana said.

The National Assembly said the transmission would enable the state legislatures to exercise their constitutional responsibilities in an orderly manner.

It added that it would take the next steps in the amendment process after receiving the resolutions of the 36 State Houses of Assembly.

The lawmakers also reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that the constitutional amendment process complies with constitutional provisions, due process, intergovernmental cooperation and respect for the legislative responsibilities of all tiers of government.