The House of Representatives Committee on Constitutional Review has begun deliberations on a proposal to amend the 1999 Constitution to impose a limit on the number of ministers the president can appoint, capping the maximum number at 37.
This proposal is encapsulated in the 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.” The bill is currently under review by the committee led by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.
Reports indicate that the bill is being sponsored by representatives from the Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal Constituency in Bauchi State as well as the Kaga/Gubio/Magumeri Federal Constituency in Borno State. This legislation is designed to modify Section 147 (1) of the Constitution, introducing language that states, “There shall be such offices of Ministers of the Government of the Federation, not exceeding 37, as may be established by the President.”
Currently, President Bola Tinubu’s Federal Executive Council is composed of 45 ministers, which includes both substantive ministers and Ministers of State. Traditionally, Nigerian presidents appoint at least one minister from each of the 36 states, supplemented by additional appointments based on various considerations during the formation of the cabinet.
Explaining the rationale behind the bill, Bauchi State lawmaker Mansur Soro stated during an interview with The PUNCH that “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.”
The Bauchi legislator further added, “We need to reduce the cost of governance and address inequality in the number of ministers to be appointed from each state and cases of overlapping mandates of ministers. In my opinion, a minister per state is enough while also considering the Federal Capital Territory.”
However, a lawmaker from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed opposition to the idea of allowing the president to appoint more than two ministers from a single state to accommodate technocrats. This legislator argued that there are sufficient government agencies and ministerial parastatals available to appoint technocrats or politicians without exceeding the proposed limit.
Highlighting the current imbalance, the PDP lawmaker cited Ogun State as an example, noting that it currently has four ministers, whereas most states are restricted to just one. This discrepancy, the lawmaker contended, raises questions about fairness and equity in the appointment process.
Meanwhile, the committee chaired by Kalu is also reviewing another proposed bill aimed at amending Section 62 of the Constitution. This separate amendment seeks to enforce the federal character principle in the selection of principal officers of the National Assembly, ensuring a more equitable distribution of roles within the legislature.
