House of Reps Move to Amend 1999 Constitution, Advance Youth Inclusion With Proposal to Further Reduce Age for Elective Offices

…as Reps Seek Reduction in Age to Contest Senate, Governorship Seats to 30

In a significant move aimed at deepening youth participation in governance and expanding democratic inclusion, the House of Representatives has taken decisive steps toward amending the 1999 Constitution to further reduce the age requirement for individuals seeking to contest major elective positions in Nigeria.

The development follows the passage at second reading of a Constitution amendment Bill seeking to reduce the age qualification for membership of the Senate and the Office of the Governor. The Bill is sponsored by Martin Esin Etim and 24 other lawmakers, signaling growing parliamentary support for advancing youth representation across all tiers of government.

Under the current constitutional provision, the minimum age for candidates wishing to contest seats in the Senate or governorship positions is set at 35, while aspirants for the House of Representatives must be at least 25 years old. Advocates of reform argue that this structure limits the political growth of young Nigerians who enter public service early and wish to rise through the ranks.

Leading the debate on the general principles of the Bill, the Akwa Ibom lawmaker representing the Offong/Oruko/Udung Uko Federal Constituency emphasized that the existing age threshold for higher offices “restricts the political advancement of young Nigerians.”

He noted that the half-decade difference between eligibility for the House and eligibility for the Senate or governorship creates an artificial barrier that stalls the career progression of promising young politicians.

The lawmaker highlighted that many individuals enter the House of Representatives at age 25 and complete two consecutive four-year terms, only to find themselves at age 33, still legally barred from contesting for higher legislative or executive offices.

According to him, the proposed amendment seeks to reduce the age requirement for the Senate and governorship positions from 35 to 30, while retaining the five-year eligibility gap that has historically existed between these offices and the House of Representatives.

He explained, “If a member of this house at 25 years spends two terms in the House of Representatives, he will be 33 years and he will still not be qualified to go to the Senate or to become a governor.

“So, I think that this honourable house should look into it and we maintain the gap between the office of the governor and senate, as it were, and that of the house for the five years that it has always been.”

The Bill now proceeds to the next legislative stage, where further scrutiny, public input, and committee considerations will determine its advancement toward full constitutional alteration, a change that, if adopted, could mark another milestone in Nigeria’s evolving democratic landscape and the ongoing push for increased youth leadership.