National Assembly Processes

Lawmaking | Budget Cycle | Constitution Alteration (Institution Alteration) – 10th Assembly, Federal Republic of Nigeria

A bill is a draft law. Must pass both chambers (Senate & House) and receive Presidential Assent. Types: Executive, Private Member, Judiciary & Public bills. Click any stage for detailed insight.
1

Drafting & Scrutiny

Legal drafting by legislative counsel, sponsor input & inter-agency review.
The sponsor (executive, senator, or rep) works with legal draftspersons. Bill is checked for constitutionality, clarity, and compliance with legislative drafting rules. Stakeholder consultations occur before formal initiation.
2

Gazette Publication

Official notice in Government Gazette (14 days before first reading).
The bill is published in the official Gazette to ensure public and legislative awareness. Exceptions: urgent executive bills may have reduced timeline.
3

First Reading (Introduction)

Title read; no debate. Bill formally introduced.
The clerk reads the bill's title. Copies distributed. Bill is referred to the appropriate standing committee.
4

Second Reading (Debate on Principles)

General debate on philosophy, objectives & merits.
Legislators debate the bill's underlying principles. A vote is taken; if rejected, the bill dies. If approved, it proceeds to committee stage.
5

Committee Consideration & Report

Clause-by-clause scrutiny, public hearings, amendments.
The committee invites expert testimony, reviews each clause, and proposes amendments. Report is submitted to the whole chamber.
6

Third Reading (Final Passage)

Final debate & conclusive vote on the bill.
Members vote on final version. Simple majority needed (or special majority where required). If passed, bill is transmitted to the other chamber. If amendments made, harmonisation (conference committee) follows.
7

Engrossment & Enrolment

Certified final copy signed by legislative clerks & presiding officers.
After both chambers pass identical version, the bill is “engrossed” – a clean copy produced and enrolled for transmission to the President.
8

Presidential Assent or Veto

President signs bill OR withholds assent within 30 days.
If signed, it becomes an Act of the National Assembly. If vetoed, bill returns with reasons. If president fails to act within 30 days (and legislature is in session), bill automatically becomes law.
9

Veto Override (2/3 Majority)

Each chamber may override veto by ⅔ majority.
Both chambers reconsider the bill. If at least two-thirds of members in each house vote to override, the veto is overturned and bill becomes law without presidential signature.
10

Publication as an Act of Parliament

Law enters into force after Gazette publication.
New Act assigned a number and published in official Government Gazette. Takes effect on publication date or as specified in the Act.

From Bill to Act – The Full Circle

If the President vetoes and the veto is not overridden, the bill dies. Automatic assent occurs after 30 days of presidential inaction (unless prorogation).

Note: Money bills (Appropriation) follow similar process but originate from the House of Representatives.
The Budget Cycle in Nigeria – From MTEF approval to audit. Key stages ensuring fiscal accountability. Click each stage to explore details.
1

MTEF Approval by NASS

Medium-Term Expenditure Framework & Fiscal Strategy Paper approved.
The National Assembly approves the MTEF/FSP which sets fiscal targets, revenue projections, and expenditure ceilings for the next three years. Essential for budget planning.
2

Finance Ministry Call Circular

Budget Call Circular issued to MDAs.
Minister of Finance issues guidelines, templates, and ceilings. MDAs prepare their estimates based on government priorities.
3

MDAs Draft Budget Preparation

Ministries, Departments & Agencies prepare detailed budgets.
MDAs draft their recurrent and capital expenditure proposals, aligned with sectoral plans and MTEF ceilings.
4

Federal Executive Council Approval

Draft budget approved by FEC before presentation.
The Federal Executive Council (cabinet) reviews and approves the consolidated draft budget prior to presidential transmission to the National Assembly.
5

Budget Presentation (First Reading)

President presents budget proposal to joint session of NASS.
Formal presentation of Appropriation Bill by the President. Considered as First Reading; budget is laid before both chambers.
6

Second Reading & General Debate

Broad debate on fiscal policies & budget priorities.
Lawmakers debate the overall direction of the budget, revenue assumptions, and economic policies. Vote determines if budget proceeds to committee stage.
7

Committee Stage (Appropriation Committees)

Detailed defence, budget hearings, and adjustments.
Appropriation Committees invite MDAs for budget defence, scrutinize line items, and propose amendments. Public hearings may be held.
8

Report Stage & Third Reading

Committee reports presented; final passage by each chamber.
The budget report is debated and adopted. Final vote on the Appropriation Bill (Third Reading). Simple majority required.
9

Harmonisation (Conference Committee)

If differences arise between Senate and House versions, a conference committee resolves them.
A harmonised version is produced and sent to both chambers for final concurrence.
10

Presidential Assent

President signs the Appropriation Bill into law.
Once signed, the budget becomes the Appropriation Act. If vetoed, NASS may override with 2/3 majority.
11

Implementation by MDAs

Budget execution & release of funds by Ministry of Finance.
MDAs implement projects and programs as appropriated, following procurement and financial regulations.
12

Evaluation & Audit (Accountability)

Office of Auditor-General, PAC oversight, and performance audits.
The Auditor-General submits reports to NASS. Public Accounts Committee reviews compliance and financial irregularities.

Fiscal Discipline & Oversight

The budget cycle ensures transparency through MTEF, legislative scrutiny, and post-audit by the Auditor-General for the Federation. Supplementary budgets may follow similar process.

If the budget is not passed before the start of the fiscal year, the government may operate on the previous year's budget (in interim).
Institution Alteration – 1999 Constitution Amendment Procedure (Section 9). Special majority + State Houses of Assembly ratification. Click each stage for full details.
1

Initiation & Drafting

Proposal by either chamber (or 2/3 of states via resolution).
An amendment can be initiated by the National Assembly (any member) or by a resolution of at least two-thirds of the 36 state Houses of Assembly. Draft bill prepared.
2

First Reading & Publication

Formal introduction; bill published for public awareness.
The Constitution Alteration Bill receives first reading and is widely published to enable public debate and input.
3

Second Reading & Ad-hoc Committee

General debate & referral to special committee on constitution review.
The bill is debated. The Senate and House each set up ad-hoc committees (or refer to the Committee on Constitution Review) to conduct public hearings and consider inputs.
4

Approval by Two-Thirds Majority (Each Chamber)

Requires 2/3 vote of ALL members in Senate and House of Representatives.
For constitution alteration, each chamber must pass the bill by at least two-thirds majority of all its members (not just those present). 73 votes in Senate, 240 in House.
5

Transmission to State Houses of Assembly

Ratification by at least 24 out of 36 states (2/3 majority of states).
After NASS passage, the bill is sent to the 36 State Houses of Assembly. It must be approved by resolution of not less than two-thirds (24 states) to become effective.
6

Assent & Final Promulgation

Presidential Assent NOT required for constitution alteration (Section 9).
Unlike ordinary bills, the Constitution does not require Presidential Assent after state ratification. Once 24 states approve, the alteration becomes part of the Constitution and is published in the Gazette.
7

Constitutional Amendment Act & Implementation

Final publication as Constitution (Alteration) Act.
The amendment is officially appended to the 1999 Constitution. It takes effect on the date of publication or as specified in the alteration act.

Rigidity of the Constitution

Institution Alteration (constitution amendment) deliberately requires supermajorities at both national and subnational levels to ensure broad consensus. Some entrenched provisions may require a referendum, but general procedure follows section 9.

Note: Presidential assent is NOT a step for constitution alteration – state ratification is final. However, the President may still be involved politically.