The House of Representatives Constitution Review Committee is deliberating on a bill to amend the 1999 Constitution to cap the number of ministers in the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at 37.
The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to Streamline the Number of Ministers Appointed to the Federal Executive Council,” is spearheaded by lawmakers representing Darazo/Ganjuwa in Bauchi State and Kaga/Gubio/Magumeri in Borno State. Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu chairs the review committee.
If passed, the amendment to Section 147 (1) of the Constitution would stipulate:
“There shall be such offices of Ministers of the Government of the Federation, not exceeding 37, as may be established by the President.”
President Bola Tinubu’s current cabinet comprises 45 ministers, including Ministers of State, surpassing the proposed limit. Traditionally, Nigerian presidents appoint at least one minister from each of the 36 states, often exceeding this number to accommodate additional considerations.
Bauchi lawmaker Mansur Soro emphasized the need for efficiency and cost reduction at the federal level, highlighting the issues of duplication and unequal representation in the cabinet.
“The bill seeks to address the high cost of governance, reduce overlapping ministerial duties, and ensure fairness in representation,” Soro explained. “A minister per state, including the Federal Capital Territory, is sufficient.”
Soro criticized the current practice, citing Ogun State’s four ministers compared to states with only one. He argued that the presidency has numerous government agencies and parastatals to accommodate technocrats and politicians without inflating the FEC.
“The federal character principle must be upheld. It is unfair to have some states with multiple ministers while others have just one,” he added.
In addition to the proposed ministerial cap, the Kalu-led committee is also considering amending Section 62 of the Constitution to enforce federal character principles in the selection of principal officers for the National Assembly.
The bill represents a significant step toward addressing concerns over governance inefficiency, inequitable representation, and the rising cost of running the federal government.
