The House of Representatives' Committee on Constitutional Review is contemplating a proposal to modify the 1999 Constitution to limit the number of ministers appointed by the president to a maximum of 37. The proposed legislation, titled "A Bill for an Act to Amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Streamline the Number of Ministers to be Appointed to the Federal Executive Council," is now being considered by the committee chaired by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu. According to sources, the measure is being sponsored by legislators from Bauchi State's Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal Constituency and Borno State's Kaga/Gubio/Magumeri Federal Constituency.
The amendment proposes changing Section 147 (1) of the Constitution to read, "There shall be such offices of Ministers of the Government of the Federation, not exceeding 37, as may be established by the President."
President Bola Tinubu's Federal Executive Council now consists of 45 ministries, including both substantive and ministers of state. Nigerian presidents typically pick one minister from each of the 36 states, with additional appointments made based on other factors during cabinet formation. "The bill seeks to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to specify the maximum number of ministers to be appointed to the Federal Executive Council to address duplication of duties, minimise the cost of governance, and enhance efficiency to service at the federal level," Mansur Soro, a legislator from Bauchi state, said given to The Punch.
We must minimise the expense of governance while also addressing disparity in the number of ministers appointed from each state, as well as examples of ministers' overlapping mandates. "In my opinion, one minister per state is sufficient, taking into account the Federal Capital Territory," he continued. A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senator has expressed opposition to the president appointing more than two ministers from a single state to accommodate technocrats. The legislator stated that the president has various other government organisations and ministerial parastatals to appoint technocrats or politicians. Highlighting the mismatch, the legislator pointed out that Ogun State now has four ministers, when most governments only have one, raising concerns about the fairness of the arrangement.
Meanwhile, a committee led by Kalu is considering a draft to modify Section 62 of the Constitution. The amendment proposes to apply the federal character principle to the selection of National Assembly major offices.