The House of Representatives has approved an upward review of campaign spending limits for candidates contesting elective offices in Nigeria, as part of amendments to the Electoral Act 2022.
The decision was taken during Thursday’s plenary following a clause-by-clause consideration of a report on proposed changes to the electoral law ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Under the approved amendments, the spending ceiling for presidential candidates was increased from ₦5 billion to ₦10 billion, while the maximum campaign expenditure for gubernatorial candidates was raised from ₦1 billion to ₦3 billion.
The House also increased the spending limit for senatorial candidates from ₦100 million to ₦500 million. Candidates vying for seats in the House of Representatives will now be allowed to spend up to ₦250 million, up from the previous cap of ₦70 million.
For State House of Assembly elections, the campaign spending limit was reviewed upward from ₦30 million to ₦100 million. At the local government level, candidates contesting chairmanship positions will now be permitted to spend up to ₦100 million, compared to the former limit of ₦30 million.
The spending cap for councillorship candidates was also increased from ₦5 million to ₦10 million.
In addition, lawmakers approved a significant increase in the maximum amount individuals or entities can donate to candidates, raising the ceiling from ₦50 million to ₦500 million.
The amendments form part of broader efforts by the House to reform Nigeria’s electoral framework. Earlier in the week, lawmakers also approved a proposal mandating the real-time transmission of election results.
The proposed changes will take effect only after concurrence by the Senate and assent by the President.