Reps pass bill to lower age requirement for senate, governorship seats to 30

The House of Representatives has passed, on second reading, a bill seeking to reduce the minimum age requirement for contesting senatorial and governorship positions in Nigeria from 35 to 30 years.

The proposed amendment, sponsored by lawmakers advocating wider youth inclusion in governance, aims to further open the political space to younger Nigerians. The bill will now proceed to the committee stage for further legislative scrutiny.

During Tuesday’s plenary, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas reaffirmed the commitment of the 10th National Assembly to strengthening democratic institutions. He announced that the House will soon embark on a comprehensive review of the Electoral Act, describing it as a necessary step toward improving future elections.

Abbas said the planned overhaul would address longstanding concerns raised by citizens, civil society organisations, and political stakeholders regarding the credibility and transparency of the electoral process.

The age-reduction bill has been welcomed by youth groups, who argue that lowering the bar for eligibility will enhance representation and energise the country’s political landscape. If eventually passed by both chambers and assented to by the President, it would mark another milestone in Nigeria’s gradual expansion of youth participation in leadership.