The House of Representatives is currently deliberating a bill to amend the 1999 Constitution to cap the number of ministers in the Federal Executive Council at 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 being chaired by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.
At present, the Federal Executive Council under President Bola Tinubu’s administration includes 45 ministers, encompassing both substantive ministers and Ministers of State.
Sponsored by representatives of Darazo/Ganjuwa and Kaga/Gubio/Magumeri Federal Constituencies of Bauchi and Borno states, the bill seeks to amend Section 147(1) of the Constitution. The proposed amendment would specify, There shall be such offices of Ministers of the Government of the Federation, not exceeding 37, as may be established by the President.
Lawmakers backing the bill argue that limiting the number of ministers would reduce redundancy, address inequality in state representation, and enhance efficiency at the federal level.
They also highlighted concerns over the cost of governance, noting that allocating multiple ministerial positions to some states while others have only one creates an imbalance.
If passed, the legislation would ensure a more streamlined Federal Executive Council, appointing one minister per state, including the Federal Capital Territory, while relying on other federal agencies and parastatals to accommodate additional technocrats or political appointees.
