The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed 42 constitutional amendment bills through second reading, marking a significant step in Nigeria’s ongoing push for governance reforms.

This comes a day after 39 similar bills scaled second reading, bringing the total number of constitutional amendment proposals passed in two days to 81.

Among the most significant amendments is a proposal to remove the immunity currently enjoyed by the vice president, governors, and their deputies, a move that has been widely welcomed by Nigerians who see the immunity clause as a major enabler of corruption and impunity among public officials.

Key Constitutional Amendments Passed

The House moved quickly to approve the amendments, which also include:

• Scrapping of Immunity for the Vice President, Governors, and Deputies: The bill proposes to limit the immunity of the president while completely revoking it for the vice president, governors, and their deputies. This means that once passed into law, these officials can be investigated, arrested, and prosecuted while still in office.
• Separation of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Offices: The bill seeks to ensure that the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and state Attorneys-General operate as independent legal officers, rather than as political appointees who could be influenced by the executive arm of government. This is aimed at strengthening the rule of law and reducing political interference in legal matters.
• Gender and Citizenship Rights: Another amendment aims to grant automatic Nigerian citizenship to foreign spouses of Nigerian women, a right that is already granted to foreign spouses of Nigerian men. The bill also proposes mandatory youth and women representation in government appointments.
• Creation of New States: Some of the amendments propose the creation of Ijebu State, Ife-Ijesa State, Tiga State, Orlu State, and Etiti State, reflecting the long-standing agitation for more state representation across different regions.

Why Scrapping Immunity Is a Major Talking Point

The removal of immunity for governors and Vice presidents has been one of the most talked-about constitutional amendments, as many Nigerians believe that the clause has served as a shield for corruption, abuse of power, and reckless governance.

Currently, under Section 308 of the Nigerian Constitution, the president, vice president, governors, and deputy governors cannot be prosecuted or arrested while in office, even if they are found to have engaged in criminal activities. This provision, while originally designed to protect government officials from political distractions, has been widely abused, with many governors allegedly looting public funds while in office and later facing trial only after leaving power.

For example, several former governors, including Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia), Joshua Dariye (Plateau), and Jolly Nyame (Taraba), were convicted for corruption years after leaving office, alluding that immunity delayed justice.

Nigerians have largely welcomed the proposal to strip governors of immunity, arguing that it will serve as a deterrent to reckless governance. Many believe that if public officeholders know they can be arrested and prosecuted while in office, they will be forced to act more responsibly.

Many have also pointed out that while past efforts to amend the constitution have failed, this proposal should be pursued to completion to break the cycle of impunity.

Fast-Tracked Process Raises Concerns

Despite the widespread support for the amendment, some have raised concerns about the speed at which the bills were passed through second reading without debate. It is argued that constitutional amendments of this magnitude require extensive public consultation and scrutiny to ensure they serve the best interests of the people.

The removal of immunity, in particular, could have political implications, with fears that opposition figures in power may face politically motivated legal battles. Some political analysts warn that without judicial reforms, politically exposed persons could still manipulate the legal system in their favor.

Will These Amendments Succeed?

For any constitutional amendment to take effect in Nigeria, it must:

1. Pass with a two-thirds majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
2. Be approved by at least 24 out of the 36 state Houses of Assembly.

Historically, most proposed constitutional amendments in Nigeria do not survive this process, as state lawmakers—who are often loyal to their governors—have blocked previous attempts to remove immunity.

However, with growing public pressure for governance reforms, this attempt could gain more momentum. The coming weeks will reveal whether lawmakers, particularly in the Senate and state assemblies, will support the move or sabotage it to protect their political allies.

MTN Group and Airtel Africa have entered into a strategic partnership to share mobile phone network infrastructure in Nigeria and Uganda, a move aimed at reducing costs while expanding service coverage.

The agreement, announced by both companies on Wednesday, comes at a time when telecom operators across Africa are facing mounting financial pressure to expand their networks, particularly with the growing demand for high-speed internet and digital services.

The collaboration is expected to optimize network investments and facilitate faster deployment of 5G and broadband services in underserved areas, particularly rural regions where inadequate infrastructure has stalled digital development, including online learning and e-commerce.

Backdrop: Tariff Hike Sparks Demand for Better Services

This development comes on the heels of the recent 50% tariff increase approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which has significantly impacted mobile users and driven expectations for improved network services. The tariff hike has placed additional financial strain on consumers, making it imperative for telecom operators to ensure that the quality of service matches the increased cost.

With millions of Nigerians now paying more for mobile and internet services, complaints about poor network quality have intensified. The lack of reliable internet in many rural and semi-urban areas has stifled digital inclusion, making remote work, online learning, and financial transactions challenging for millions.

The partnership between MTN and Airtel Africa is seen as a direct response to these concerns, as both companies seek to maximize coverage without incurring exorbitant costs.

Scope of the Agreement

According to statements released by MTN and Airtel Africa, the partnership is not limited to Nigeria and Uganda. The companies have revealed plans to explore similar collaborations in Congo-Brazzaville, Rwanda, and Zambia, among other African markets.

Key aspects of the partnership include:

• Radio Access Network (RAN) Sharing – This constitutes the most significant portion of network deployment costs. Both companies aim to optimize network expansion while minimizing capital expenditure by sharing RAN infrastructure.
• Fiber Infrastructure Sharing – The agreement also covers commercial and technical arrangements for sharing fiber-optic networks, improving connectivity while reducing redundancy.
• Joint Fiber Network Construction – Where necessary, the two telecom giants may collaborate on building new fiber networks to increase data capacity and reliability in targeted regions.

While the agreement marks a major step toward cost efficiency, both companies emphasized that it does not prevent them from engaging in similar partnerships with other telecom operators in different markets.

MTN Group CEO Ralph Mupita highlighted the company’s commitment to improving digital access across Africa.

“As MTN, we are driven by the vision of delivering digital solutions that drive Africa’s progress,” Mupita stated. “We continue to see strong structural demand for digital and financial services across our markets. To meet this demand, we continue to invest in coverage and capacity to ensure high-quality connectivity for our customers. That said, there are opportunities within regulatory frameworks for sharing resources to drive higher efficiencies and improve returns.”

Airtel Africa CEO Sunil Taldar emphasized the cost-saving benefits of infrastructure sharing, particularly in rural areas where the business case for separate networks is weak.

“Sharing infrastructure allows operators to extend their network coverage more quickly, especially in rural or less densely populated areas where it might not be economically viable to build separate networks,” Taldar said.

Why Infrastructure Sharing Matters

For years, industry experts have touted network infrastructure sharing as a key strategy to cut costs while expanding telecom services, particularly in Africa’s challenging business environment. Telecom operators have faced rising operational expenses, currency fluctuations, and the high cost of deploying next-generation networks such as 5G.

By partnering to share infrastructure, MTN and Airtel Africa are not only reducing capital expenditure but also accelerating network rollout in areas that have been historically underserved. This is crucial at a time when mobile penetration in Africa is increasing, and the demand for reliable internet access is surging.

Key benefits of infrastructure sharing include:

• Lower Costs for Operators – Telecom companies save billions in investment costs by eliminating duplication in infrastructure development.
• Faster Network Expansion – With shared infrastructure, companies can deploy services more quickly, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.
• Improved Network Quality – With the rising cost of telecom services, shared infrastructure ensures that consumers get better service delivery.
• Environmental Benefits – Fewer cell towers and reduced power consumption contribute to lower carbon emissions.

Challenges and Potential Roadblocks

While the partnership offers multiple benefits, it is not without challenges. Regulatory approvals, revenue-sharing agreements, and technical compatibility could pose significant hurdles. The competitive dynamics of the telecom industry may also complicate full implementation, as companies continue to battle for market dominance.

Additionally, questions remain about consumer benefits—whether telecom companies will pass on cost savings to users or maintain high tariffs despite reducing their expenditures.

However, the MTN-Airtel Africa partnership is expected to set a precedent for broader industry-wide collaborations across Africa. With the region’s telecom sector witnessing rapid digital transformation, infrastructure-sharing agreements could become the norm, rather than the exception.

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