Bill to bar over-60s from presidency, governorship passes second reading

Nigeria’s House of Representatives has advanced a controversial constitutional amendment that would bar individuals aged 60 and above from contesting for the offices of President and Governor. The bill, which passed its second reading during Thursday’s plenary session, could reshape the country’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.

If enacted into law, the measure would render some of Nigeria’s most prominent political figures—including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (72), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar (78), and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi (63)—ineligible to seek office in the next election cycle.

The bill, sponsored by Imo State lawmaker Ikenga Ugochinyere, proposes a sweeping amendment to Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution and calls for both age and education-based reforms to the nation’s eligibility criteria for top executive positions.

Key Provisions: Education and Age Cap

Formally titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to Review the Requirements that Qualify a Person to Be Elected as President, Vice President, Governor, and Deputy Governor”, the legislation introduces two core changes:

Educational Requirement: Candidates must hold at least a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university in their chosen field.
Age Limit: Candidates must not be older than 60 years at the time of vying for office.

The proposal amends Section 131 of the Constitution for presidential and vice-presidential qualifications, and Section 177 for gubernatorial and deputy gubernatorial candidates.

“This bill seeks to modernize Nigeria’s leadership criteria and ensure a generational shift in governance,” Ugochinyere said during the debate. “It is time to prioritize merit, education, and youth participation in public office.”

The bill has already ignited debate within and beyond the National Assembly. Nigeria’s political elite is predominantly older, with the average age of Senators standing at approximately 63 years, and members of the House of Representatives averaging 56 years.

For comparison, in the United States—the world’s second-largest democracy—the average age of members of the House of Representatives is 58, while U.S. Senators average 64.

While critics argue that age does not necessarily correlate with competence, supporters of the bill view it as a necessary corrective to a political culture dominated by aging leaders with long tenures and entrenched interests.

In a busy legislative session, the House also passed two other constitutional amendment bills for second reading:

Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education Bill: Sponsored again by Ugochinyere, this bill seeks to elevate the Alvan Ikoku College of Education in Imo State to full university status, providing federal recognition and funding support.
Inclusion Bill: Another proposed amendment mandates the inclusion of youths and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in political appointments, signaling a broader push for equity and diversity in governance.

The age-limit bill must still pass a third reading in the House, clear the Senate, and receive presidential assent before becoming law. Constitutional amendments in Nigeria also require approval by two-thirds of the 36 state assemblies, making the path to ratification both politically and procedurally demanding.

Should it succeed, the bill would constitute one of the most consequential changes to Nigeria’s electoral framework since the nation’s transition to democracy in 1999.