The Nigerian Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution has scheduled a two-day zonal public hearing across the six geopolitical zones of the country for July 4 and 5, 2025.
The aim is to gather public input on various proposed constitutional amendments aimed at restructuring key aspects of governance.
The hearings will be held simultaneously in Lagos (Southwest), Enugu (Southeast), Ikot Ekpene (South-South), Jos (North-Central), Maiduguri (Northeast), and Kano (Northwest). The committee, chaired by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, emphasized that this exercise is crucial for ensuring citizens play an active role in shaping constitutional reforms.
According to a statement by Ismail Mudashir, Special Adviser to the Deputy Senate President on Media and Publicity, over 20 bills relating to judicial reforms will be reviewed. These include proposals to set mandatory timelines for court judgments and expand the jurisdiction of election tribunals.
Among the most pressing issues up for discussion are local government autonomy, state creation, judicial and electoral reforms, security and policing, fiscal policies, and inclusive governance.
Two significant bills will focus on local government reforms: one seeks to constitutionally recognize local government councils as a distinct tier of government with guaranteed tenure, while the other proposes the establishment of an independent National Local Government Electoral Commission (NALGEC) to oversee local elections.
On the matter of national security, the committee will review bills proposing the creation of state police and the establishment of State Security Councils to improve coordination of internal security at the sub-national level.
Fiscal reform is another major focus. Six bills in this category will be examined, including a proposal to empower the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to enforce compliance with revenue remittances and ensure efficient disbursement from the Federation Account. Another bill seeks to establish constitutional deadlines for governors and the president to present appropriation bills before their respective legislatures.
Gender inclusion is also on the agenda, with a bill proposing additional seats for women in the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly. Similarly, to strengthen traditional leadership, a bill to establish national, state, and local government councils of traditional rulers will be deliberated upon.
In the area of electoral reforms, the committee will consider a constitutional amendment to allow for independent candidacy across all election levels, from local council to the presidency. In addition, a bill for diaspora voting — which would enable Nigerians living abroad to participate in elections — has also been listed for discussion.
Proposals related to the devolution of powers will also be debated. These include shifting items such as labour and shipping from the Exclusive to the Concurrent Legislative List, granting states more legislative authority.
Notably, the committee has received 31 separate requests for the creation of new states — five each from the Southwest, South-South, and North-Central; seven from the Northeast; six from the Northwest; and three from the Southeast.
The Senate committee urged citizens to actively participate in the hearings, stressing that broad public engagement is vital to ensuring a representative and effective constitutional review.