The bill to make a first degree a qualification for contesting elections was rejected by the House of Representatives

On Tuesday, a Bill to raise the minimum educational requirement for certain elective offices in the nation to a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent was passed by the House of Representatives.

Following lengthy discussion of the pros and drawbacks of the constitution amendment bill, which was sponsored by Hon. Omowunmi Onanuga, the Deputy Whip, the House ultimately decided to step down the bill.

An Act to Alter the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) to alter the Educational Qualification for Elections into Certain Political Offices and for Related Matters was the title of the proposed law.

As part of the primary discussion on the Bill’s overarching principles, Onanuga urged the House to thoroughly investigate the educational background of political office holders, arguing that each of the positions impacted by the amendment is highly strategic in its own right.

She elaborated that state legislators play a crucial role in governing their states for the benefit of the people through the laws they pass; the governor’s office is the highest political office in a state, and federal legislators play a similar role in governing the nation through the laws they pass; the president’s office is the highest political office in the country.

The congressman contended that it is unreasonable to expect anyone to assume political positions without a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent if a managing director in a similarly important firm in the nation cannot be hired without one.