The House of Representatives has approved an increase in campaign spending limits for candidates seeking elective offices in Nigeria, doubling the ceiling for presidential candidates from ₦5 billion to ₦10 billion, and governorship’s, from N1 billion to N3 billion ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The decision was taken during Thursday’s plenary following a clause-by-clause consideration of a report recommending amendments to the Electoral Act 2022.
These were part of the passage of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025, following clause-by-clause consideration of the report of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, chaired by Adebayo Balogun.
Under the approved changes, lawmakers raised the maximum amount a presidential candidate can spend on election campaigns from the ₦5 billion stipulated in the existing law to ₦10 billion.
The House also significantly increased spending limits for other elective offices. The ceiling for governorship candidates was raised from ₦1 billion to ₦3 billion, while senatorial candidates can now spend up to ₦500 million, up from the previous ₦100 million.
Under the approved Clause 93(2), spending limits for candidates seeking election into the House of Representatives, were also increased, with senatorial candidates now allowed to spend up to N500 million, up from N100 million; and House of Representatives candidates, N250 million from the previous N70 million.
For state constituencies, the campaign expense ceiling was raised from N30 million to N100 million; chairmanship candidates, from N30 million to N60 million; councillorship candidates, N10 million from N5 million.
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The lawmakers also approved higher spending limits for local government elections. Under the amendment, candidates contesting for chairmanship positions will now be allowed to spend up to ₦100 million, compared to the previous ₦30 million ceiling. Similarly, the campaign spending limit for councillorship candidates was increased from ₦5 million to ₦10 million.
In addition to adjusting expenditure ceilings, the House approved an increase in the maximum amount an individual or organisation can donate to a candidate. The donation cap was raised tenfold, from ₦50 million to ₦500 million.
The House also approved a provision restricting individual or corporate donations to a maximum of N500 million per candidate.
The amendments form part of ongoing legislative efforts to review the electoral framework ahead of the 2027 polls.
On Wednesday, the House had approved a separate proposal mandating the real-time transmission of election results, signalling a broader push for electoral reforms.
The proposed amendments to the Electoral Act 2022 will only take effect after concurrence by the Senate and assent by the President.