By: Ojay Matthew
The National Assembly’s Joint Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution has inched closer to meeting its December 2025 deadline, after members reconvened in Abuja on Monday to finalise the draft amendments set to reshape key aspects of governance in Nigeria.
Lawmakers are now preparing for a decisive vote in the coming weeks on major reform areas repeatedly demanded by Nigerians during zonal hearings and consultations. These include devolution of powers, fiscal restructuring, electoral reforms, state policing, and the introduction of reserved seats for women.
Committee leaders confirmed that the review process has entered its final phase, stressing that no new proposals would be entertained as the panel moves toward harmonisation and voting.
Senate Deputy President and Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Senator Barau Jibrin, said the Monday session effectively signalled the completion of the committee’s task ahead of transmission to state assemblies.
“Our meeting today is not for debate but for approval of previously agreed positions. This marks the last lap of our assignment. We assured Nigerians that the bills would reach the State Houses of Assembly this year, and we intend to keep that promise,” he stated.
Jibrin noted that most contentious issues had been resolved during the Lagos retreat held in October, leaving the committee with ratification and technical fine-tuning.
Similarly, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Co-Chairman of the Committee, Benjamin Kalu, applauded the commitment of members, describing the exercise as one that has moved from consultation to decisive action.
“This is our final retreat before historic voting on the constitution alteration bills. After today, we transition from discussions to delivery,” he said.
Kalu highlighted the extensive nature of the review process, spanning nationwide public hearings, technical retreats, and engagements with governors, party leaders, security agencies, traditional rulers, civil society groups, and women organisations. According to him, Nigerians overwhelmingly demanded reforms that would strengthen local government autonomy, improve internal security, ensure credible elections, deepen fiscal federalism, and broaden gender inclusion.
Attention now shifts to the 36 State Houses of Assembly, whose approval—at least two-thirds—is required for any amendment to sail through.
“The success or failure of this process rests with the state legislatures. They are the true gatekeepers of constitutional reform,” Kalu said.
Senator Jibrin added that the retreat was intentionally structured to align state lawmakers with the committee’s work ahead of formal transmission of the bills.
Kalu also revealed that all state governors would be briefed on Wednesday to ensure executive-level support and avoid political bottlenecks.
“This is not about undermining executive authority,” he explained. “It is about strengthening federalism and delivering the democracy Nigerians deserve. Over 200 million citizens are watching.”
He urged Speakers of State Assemblies to return home as “ambassadors of reform,” and encouraged federal lawmakers to remain available as the review enters its decisive stage.
With deliberations completed, the committee’s sub-reports will now be harmonised and presented for voting in both chambers. Once approved, the amendments will be transmitted to state assemblies—marking one of the most consequential legislative actions of the 10th National Assembly.
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