Senate Launches Nationwide Hearings on Constitutional Reforms

Public Hearings to hold across the Six Geopolitical Zones from  July 4–5 as over 60 proposals including state creation, local government autonomy, and state police come under review

In a major step towards overhauling the 1999 Constitution, the Nigerian Senate will conduct a two-day Zonal Public Hearing across the six geopolitical zones of the country on July 4th and 5th, 2025, to gather public input on critical proposed amendments.

The hearings, coordinated by the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution and chaired by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, will be held simultaneously in Lagos (South West), Enugu (South East), Ikot Ekpene (South South), Jos (North Central), Maiduguri (North East), and Kano (North West).

According to a statement signed by Ismail Mudashir, Special Adviser to the Deputy Senate President on Media and Publicity, the initiative aims to deepen citizens’ participation in reshaping the country’s legal and political framework.

Among the key issues up for discussion are local government autonomy, electoral reforms, state policing, judicial restructuring, gender equity, and state creation. In particular, two bills seek to grant constitutional recognition and full autonomy to the 774 Local Government Councils and establish an independent National Local Government Electoral Commission (NALGEC) to oversee local elections.

Security is also high on the agenda, with proposals to create state police forces and establish State Security Councils to coordinate internal security strategies.

In the area of fiscal governance, six bills are on the table—including one that would empower the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission to enforce revenue remittances and revise the allocation formula. Another seeks to constitutionally mandate the timely presentation of appropriation bills by the president and state governors.

The Committee is also pushing for greater inclusion of women in governance through a bill proposing additional legislative seats for women in the National and State Assemblies.

Traditional institutions may soon gain a stronger constitutional footing, with a bill proposing the creation of National, State, and Local Government Councils of Traditional Rulers.

On electoral reform, the hearings will consider a groundbreaking proposal to allow for independent candidacy at all levels and another to enable diaspora voting—giving Nigerians abroad the right to participate in elections.

The judicial sector is set for a comprehensive review, with more than 20 bills addressing issues ranging from election tribunal jurisdiction to setting clear timelines for judgment delivery.

A bold push for devolution of powers is also in the works, with proposals to move critical sectors like labour and shipping from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List, allowing both federal and state governments to legislate on them.

In a sign of the strong demand for grassroots representation, the committee has received 31 proposals for state creation, with requests coming from every region—five each from the South West, South South, and North Central; six from the North West; seven from the North East; and three from the South East.

The Senate Committee emphasized that the public hearings are an essential part of the constitutional review process, urging all Nigerians to engage fully and make their voices heard.

“This process belongs to the people. Their input is critical in creating a more inclusive, just, and effective constitution,” said Senator Jibrin.

The outcomes of these hearings will shape the final content of the constitutional amendments, which will then be debated and voted on by the National Assembly.