The House of Representatives on Tuesday deliberated on the a bill seeking to amend educational requirement for elective office seekers.
The bill titled, “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Review the Required Educational Qualification for Election into certain Political Offices; and for Related Matters”, was sponsored by Rep. Adewumi Oriyomi Onanuga.
The Nigerian Constitution prescribes a minimum of school leaving certificate for aspirants to elective offices.
“It was strange that a person seeking to lead the whole country, including the graduate, was required to possess only a senior secondary school certificate or its equivalent,” Onanuga reportedly said during her presentation.
“As we have reduced the age for eligibility to contest those offices, so also, we should increase the minimum educational requirement. It will be another step in reforming our electoral system and providing strong leadership for the country.”
The bill is coming after Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila opined about raising the academic requirements, during the 52nd Convocation Lecture of the University of Lagos.
