Nigeria’s push to expand youth participation in governance gained fresh momentum on Tuesday as the House of Representatives approved a bill seeking to reduce the minimum age for contesting governorship and Senate seats from 35 to 30 years.
The proposal, sponsored by Rep. Esin Etim and 24 other lawmakers, passed its second reading without objections—signalling broad legislative support for a reform many young Nigerians have demanded since the Not-Too-Young-To-Run Act of 2018.
Etim, representing Offong/Oruko/Udung Uko Federal Constituency in Akwa Ibom, argued that the current age requirement blocks the political progression of young legislators who begin their careers early.
According to him, a lawmaker elected into the House at 25 could complete two four-year terms and still be legally barred from contesting for governor or the Senate at 33.
He urged colleagues to maintain a five-year eligibility gap between the House and the higher offices instead of the current ten-year gap.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas put the bill to a voice vote, where the majority supported moving it forward. It has now been referred to the House Committee on Constitution Review for further legislative action.
If approved by the National Assembly and ratified by state assemblies, the amendment will pave the way for a new generation of politically active young Nigerians to seek higher office.
