Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said he would approve a new law to reduce the age limit for political office, raising the prospect of younger candidates at next year's general election.

"In (a) few days to come, I will be joined by many promising young Nigerians to sign into law the 'Not Too Young To Run' bill," he said in a speech to mark the country's annual Democracy Day public holiday.

The bill was passed by both houses of parliament last year and later received the constitutionally required approval of two-thirds of state legislatures, leaving the final step of presidential assent.