The Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution is set to commence a two-day zonal public hearing across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones as part of ongoing efforts to amend the nation’s constitution.
The hearings, scheduled for July 4 and 5, 2025, will hold simultaneously in Lagos (South West), Enugu (South East), Ikot Ekpene (South South), Jos (North Central), Maiduguri (North East), and Kano (North West).
Chairman of the committee and Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, said the exercise is aimed at gathering the views of Nigerians on far-reaching constitutional proposals. The Senate, he noted, is committed to inclusive governance and national development, hence the importance of direct public engagement.
Speaking on the development, the Special Adviser to the Deputy Senate President on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, revealed that key areas of focus will include strengthening local government administration, enhancing security, reforming the electoral process, and promoting gender equity.
Among the critical proposals to be considered are bills seeking full autonomy for the 774 Local Government Councils across the country, including the establishment of an independent National Local Government Electoral Commission (NALGEC) to conduct and supervise local elections. Security concerns will also be addressed through bills proposing the creation of state police and the establishment of state security councils to better coordinate internal security at sub-national levels.
The hearings will also deliberate on fiscal reform initiatives, including proposals to empower the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission with greater enforcement powers and define timelines for the presentation of appropriation bills by the president and state governors.
In a significant step towards promoting women’s representation, the Senate will also consider a bill that seeks to create additional seats for women in both the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly. Additionally, the strengthening of traditional institutions is on the agenda, with proposals to establish National, State, and Local Government Councils of Traditional Rulers.
On electoral reform, the committee will examine amendments to allow independent candidacy in elections at all levels, as well as provisions to enable diaspora voting—giving Nigerians living abroad a voice in the electoral process.
Judicial reform is also a major priority, with over 20 bills set to be considered. These include proposals to set timelines for court judgments and broaden the jurisdiction of election tribunals.
In a bold move to decentralize power, some proposals recommend the transfer of certain items, such as labour and shipping, from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List giving more authority to state governments.
Also on the table are numerous state creation requests. The committee has received 31 submissions, with the North East leading with seven, followed by the North West with six. The South West, South South, and North Central zones submitted five each, while the South East presented three.
The committee emphasized the importance of public participation, urged Nigerians to take advantage of the opportunity to contribute to shaping a constitution that reflected the collective aspirations of the people.
