By RismadarVoice Media, December 19, 2025
The House of Representatives has approved sweeping increases in campaign spending limits for candidates seeking elective offices in Nigeria, a move aimed at reviewing the electoral framework ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The decision was reached during Thursday’s plenary, following a clause-by-clause consideration of proposed amendments to the Electoral Act 2022. Under the approved changes, the maximum campaign expenditure for presidential candidates was doubled – from ₦5 billion to ₦10 billion.
Spending limits for other offices were also substantially reviewed upward. Governorship candidates can now spend up to ₦3 billion, an increase from ₦1 billion, while senatorial candidates’ ceilings were raised from ₦100 million to ₦500 million.
For House of Representatives candidates, the limit was increased from ₦70 million to ₦250 million.
At the state level, candidates for state houses of assembly will now be allowed to spend up to ₦100 million, compared to the previous ₦30 million.
The amendments also cover local government elections, with chairmanship candidates permitted to spend up to ₦100 million and councillorship candidates up to ₦10 million.
In addition, lawmakers approved a significant increase in the cap on campaign donations, raising the maximum contribution by an individual or organization from ₦50 million to ₦500 million.
The amendments are part of broader electoral reforms being considered by the National Assembly. Earlier in the week, the House approved a separate proposal for the real-time transmission of election results.
The changes, however, will only take effect after concurrence by the Senate and assent by the President.
