Bill to Raise Academic Qualification for President, Governors, Other Elective Offices Passes Second Reading At Senate

A bill seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution to raise the academic qualification for office of the President, Governors, State and National Assembly members from school certificate to university degree or its equivalent has passed for second reading on the floor of Nigeria’s House of Representatives.

The proposed legislation titled: ‘A Bill for an Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, Cap. C23, Laws of the Federation, 2004, to Review the Required Educational Qualification for Election into Certain Political Offices and for Related Matters’, was sponsored by Hon. Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga, (APC, Ogun).

Leading the debate on its general principles, Onanuga said the bill was not targeted at stifling the interest of Nigerians in politics, explaining that rather, it would help Nigerians to sufficiently prepare for the humongous task of political leadership.

She opined that it was unfair to demand a university degree and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate from a graduate or anyone applying for strategic position in a company, while those seeking for political offices would be allowed to have only school certificate.

When put to a voice vote by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Idris Wase who presided over the session, it got the support of majority of the lawmakers.