ABUJA – A bold and controversial reform is gaining momentum in Nigeria’s House of Representatives as lawmakers passed for second reading a bill seeking to disqualify individuals above 60 years from contesting presidential and governorship elections.
The bill, sponsored by Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, the vocal legislator from Imo State, is pushing to amend Sections 131 and 177 of the Nigerian Constitution—effectively setting a maximum age cap of 60 for aspirants to the nation’s top executive offices.
“A person shall be qualified for election to the office of the President… if he is not more than sixty years (60) at the time of vying for the office,” the proposed amendment reads.
The legislation also raises the educational bar, mandating that presidential and gubernatorial candidates must possess at least a university degree (Bachelor’s level)—a shift from the current minimum requirement of a school leaving certificate.
This push is part of a wider legislative drive led by Ugochinyere, who appears determined to reshape Nigeria’s political and governance structure by addressing long-standing gaps in youth inclusion, representation, and merit-based leadership.
More Reforms on the Table
The House also passed several pivotal constitutional and institutional reforms for second reading, including:
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Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education Upgrade Bill: Sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Ugochinyere, this bill seeks to grant full federal status and statutory backing to the Imo-based institution.
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Creation of Ideato West LGA: Another Ugochinyere-sponsored bill aiming to establish a new local government area in Imo State, with hopes of improving grassroots governance and administrative reach.
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Mandatory Inclusion of Youths and Persons Living with Disabilities in Political Appointments: This constitutional amendment seeks to institutionalize inclusivity at all levels of governance.
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Trade and Commerce Bill: Proposes moving trade and commerce to the concurrent legislative list, empowering both federal and state governments to legislate and stimulate interstate commerce—a critical move toward economic decentralization.
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Qualification Reform Bill for Executive Offices: Another amendment under consideration aims to streamline the eligibility criteria for presidential, vice-presidential, and gubernatorial candidates, ensuring more structured and competitive leadership selection.
What This Means:
The move to introduce age limits for top political positions is a clear signal that some lawmakers are responding to calls from younger generations demanding political rejuvenation, accountability, and a break from gerontocratic dominance.
If passed into law, this bill could reshape Nigeria’s 2027 elections and beyond—possibly locking out several aging political heavyweights and creating new openings for younger, more progressive candidates.
Still, the proposal is expected to spark intense debates across party lines and among stakeholders, with critics likely to challenge the bill on constitutional and democratic grounds.
