Nigeria’s House of Representatives on Tuesday advanced a bill to lower the minimum age for contesting governorship and Senate seats from 35 to 30, moving the proposal to the committee stage in the latest push to expand youth participation in politics.

Lawmakers passed the measure — sponsored by Rep. Esin Etim and 24 others — on second reading without debate. The constitution currently allows candidates for the House to run from age 25 but requires Senate and governorship aspirants to be at least 35.

Etim, who represents the Offong/Oruko/Udung Uko constituency in Akwa Ibom state, said the higher threshold restricts the progression of younger lawmakers who enter the legislature early in their careers.

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He said a member elected at 25 could serve two four-year terms and still be ineligible to run for governor or the Senate at age 33.

“This House should look into it,” Etim said. “We should maintain the five-year gap between eligibility for the House and the higher offices.”

Speaker Tajudeen Abbas put the bill to a voice vote, with most lawmakers backing its advancement. The proposal has been referred to the House committee on constitution review for further consideration.