The Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has advocated for the increase in the minimum qualification into elective offices in the country.
He made the call while delivering a paper titled: “Building Back Better: Creating A New Framework For Tertiary Education In Nigeria In The 21st Century”, at the 52nd Convocation of the University of Lagos on Monday.
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Gbajabiamila, who was quoted in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, said the current constitutional provision where the educational qualification for elective offices is pegged at Secondary School Certificate should be increased.
He said: “I also sincerely believe that the National Assembly needs to look into section 131 (d) of the 1999 constitution with a view to increasing the minimum educational qualification for persons aspiring to be future Presidents of Nigeria and other top offices including the National Assembly as against the current minimum requirement of a Secondary School Certificate or its equivalent.
“As we have reduced the age for eligibility to contest those offices so also, we should increase the minimum educational requirement.
“It will be another step in reforming our electoral system and providing strong leadership for the country”.