Nigeria, March 27 -- A bill proposing a first degree as minimum qualification for the position of local government chairman has scaled second reading in the House of Representatives, the Punch newspaper has reported.

The bill, jointly sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Ben Kalu, and eight others, was among the 42 bills passed on Wednesday.

Currently, the basic qualification for election as a local government chairman or vice chairman is WASSCE while they enjoy a three-year term.

But the bill seeks to comprehensively review the legal and administrative framework governing local government councils.

The sponsors of the bill said it shall establish a robust legal framework that will enhance the administrative capacity of local...