CivicHow law works Guide 4 of 6
How a bill becomes an Act.
The route a federal bill takes, in order, from first reading to the Gazette. The green notes show when the Nigeria Data Protection Act passed each stage, taken from its own Gazette.
- Anywhere
Someone drafts a bill
A bill comes from one of two places. An executive bill is prepared by government, usually a ministry, and sent by the President. A member’s bill is brought by a senator or a member of the House of Representatives.
You can take part here. Ask your senator or representative to sponsor or support a bill.
- First chamber
First reading
The bill is introduced and its title is read out. There is no debate yet. A bill can start in either the Senate or the House of Representatives.
- First chamber
Second reading
Members debate the general idea of the bill and vote on whether it should go further. A bill that loses this vote goes no further.
- Committee
Committee stage
A committee goes through the bill clause by clause and often holds a public hearing, where anyone can send in a written submission (a memorandum) or speak.
You can take part here. Send a memorandum to the committee, or attend the public hearing.
- First chamber
Third reading and passage
The chamber considers the committee’s report, votes on the clauses, and passes the bill.
- Second chamber
The other chamber does the same
The bill goes to the other chamber, which takes it through the same stages. Both chambers must pass it.
Constitution, s. 58(3)
- Both chambers
Harmonisation
If the two chambers passed different versions, a conference committee from both sides agrees one text, and both adopt it. The bill can only go to the President once the two Houses agree.
Constitution, s. 58(3)
- Clerk
Certified and sent for assent
The Clerk to the National Assembly certifies that the text is exactly what both Houses passed, and sends it to the President.
Acts Authentication Act, s. 2(1)
- President
Assent
The President has 30 days to sign the bill or refuse to. Once signed, it is an Act of the National Assembly.
Constitution, s. 58(4)
- Both chambers
If the President refuses: the override
If the President withholds assent, each House can pass the bill again by a two-thirds majority, and it becomes law without the President’s signature. The Assembly can instead fix what the President objected to and pass a new version, where it decides to address those objections.
Constitution, s. 58(4)–(5)
- Gazette
Published in the Official Gazette
The Federal Government Printer publishes the Act in the Official Gazette. Our Act pages identify the particular source edition used for their section text.
- Government
Commencement, then the detail
The Act says when it takes effect, often the day it is signed. Ministers and agencies then write regulations under it, which fill in how it works in practice.
Two special routes
Money bills
Bills about spending and revenue, including the annual budget, follow extra rules, among them a joint sitting of both chambers if they cannot agree.
Constitution, s. 59
Changing the Constitution
Harder still: two-thirds of all members of each chamber, plus approval by the Houses of Assembly of at least two-thirds of the states, which is 24 of the 36. Changes to section 8, section 9 or Chapter IV require four-fifths of all members of each chamber, as well as approval by at least 24 State Houses of Assembly.
Constitution, s. 9(2)–(3)
After it becomes law
It is published
The Act appears in the Official Gazette. Read the relevant source edition together with later amendments and applicable court decisions.
It starts
The commencement date is printed under the long title. Some Acts start on signing, some later, some in stages.
The details arrive
Agencies write regulations and guidelines under the Act. These often decide how a right or duty works day to day, so an Act without its regulations is only half the picture.
It can change
A later Act can amend or repeal it, using the same process. When that happens, we mark the Act as amended or repealed.
Courts interpret it
When people disagree about what an Act means, the courts decide, and can strike down a law that conflicts with the Constitution.
This guide explains how Nigerian law works in general terms. It is not legal advice.