The National Assembly has transmitted the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026 to the 36 state Houses of Assembly for consideration and approval.

The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, saying the transmission followed a directive from the leadership of the National Assembly.

According to Ogunlana, the move was in accordance with Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, which requires a constitutional amendment Bill to be approved by at least two-thirds of the state Houses of Assembly before the National Assembly can proceed with its passage.

He urged the state legislatures to consider the Bill in accordance with their respective legislative procedures and communicate their resolutions to the National Assembly after completing their deliberations.

Ogunlana explained that although the Constitution does not specify a timeframe for state assemblies to communicate their decisions on constitutional alteration Bills, the 30-day period expected for the response 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,” the statement said.

The statement added that transmitting the Bill was intended to facilitate the orderly discharge of the state assemblies’ constitutional responsibilities in the amendment process.

The National Assembly is expected to proceed with the next stage of the process after receiving the resolutions of the 36 state Houses of Assembly, in line with constitutional provisions.

It also reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the constitutional alteration process complies with the Constitution and principles of due process, institutional cooperation and respect for the legislative responsibilities of all tiers of government.