The National Assembly has announced its intention to transmit the report on the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution to all 36 State Houses of Assembly by December 2025, in line with its scheduled timeline. This was revealed during a two-day zonal public hearing held at the Water Crest Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution and Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, emphasized that the process is a serious national reform effort—not a ceremonial activity as some have suggested.
He stressed that the goal is to enact far-reaching constitutional amendments that would strengthen governance, promote inclusive prosperity, and support sustainable development.
Bamidele clarified that while the National Assembly is responsible for collating and preparing the review report, it cannot unilaterally amend the constitution without the consent of at least two-thirds of the State Assemblies.
Therefore, he urged all stakeholders with specific proposals to actively engage and lobby their respective State Assemblies to secure the required legislative backing.
“We are done with the public hearings and will now return to Abuja to compile our report. As outlined in our timetable, we aim to finalize this process and send it to all 36 states before the end of 2025,” Bamidele said. “This is a collective process. Without state-level support, these reforms cannot be realized.”
He reiterated that the state legislatures play a vital role in the constitutional amendment process, adding that state lawmakers must act in alignment with the aspirations and interests of their constituents.
“All stakeholders must understand that it’s not just about lobbying the National Assembly. You must also engage the lawmakers at the state level because they are the ones who will vote on whether these changes become law,” Bamidele added.
The public hearing witnessed the presence of key lawmakers including Deputy Senate Minority Leader, Senator Olarere Oyewunmi; Senate Committee Chair on Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Oluranti Adebule; Senate Health Committee Chair, Senator Ipalibo Banigo; Public Procurement Committee Chair, Senator Olajide Ipinsangba; and Senate Judiciary Committee Chair, Senator Adeniyi Adegbomire.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria and Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Debo Ogundoyin, represented by Deputy Speaker Abiodun Fadeyi, called for greater devolution of power to state governments to enable accelerated national development.
He advocated moving key subjects from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List, such as labour, solid minerals, drugs and poisons, telecommunications, and stamp duty.
Ogundoyin cited the successful transformation of electricity supply in several states following its removal from the Exclusive List as an example of the positive impact devolution can have.
Ogundoyin also supported the creation of state police, stating it would improve local security, enhance community policing, ease federal policing burdens, promote accountability, and create employment.
“While concerns about abuse exist, a clear legal framework outlining the responsibilities and limitations of state police, along with oversight mechanisms, will ensure effective coordination between federal and state forces,” he said.
The hearing concluded with a unified call to all citizens, civil society groups, and political leaders to work collaboratively in pushing forward meaningful constitutional reforms that reflect the collective aspirations of Nigerians.