The Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution has announced that it will hold a nationwide zonal public hearing on July 4 and 5, 2025, with high-priority discussions on state creation, governance reforms, and national security. Among the proposals set to be reviewed are 31 requests for the creation of new states — a move that could potentially reshape Nigeria’s internal boundaries and governance structure.
The hearings, which will hold simultaneously across the six geopolitical zones — Lagos (South West), Enugu (South East), Ikot Ekpene (South South), Jos (North Central), Maiduguri (North East), and Kano (North West) — are aimed at gathering citizens’ input on key constitutional amendments being proposed by various stakeholders.
The committee, chaired by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, said the exercise represents a significant phase in Nigeria’s long-standing quest to reform its constitution to reflect present-day realities, address structural challenges, and strengthen democratic institutions.
Speaking through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, Senator Jibrin emphasized that the committee is committed to a transparent and inclusive process. “This hearing offers Nigerians from every zone an opportunity to shape the laws that govern them. We urge citizens, civil society groups, traditional institutions, and interest groups to come forward and engage with the process,” he said.
Beyond the proposals for state creation, the committee will also review constitutional amendments touching on a wide range of national issues, including the establishment of state police and security councils to address growing insecurity across the country.
Also up for debate are critical reforms aimed at granting full autonomy to local government councils, ensuring they operate as an independent tier of government with democratic structures and tenure. A proposed independent body — the National Local Government Electoral Commission (NALGEC) — is also under consideration to take over the conduct of local government elections.
Fiscal reforms feature prominently in the proposed amendments. Several bills seek to empower the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission to enforce financial discipline, ensure timely remittance to the Federation Account, and set strict deadlines for the submission of appropriation bills at both federal and state levels.
The hearings will also address issues related to gender representation, with a bill proposing additional legislative seats for women in the National and State Assemblies. Similarly, amendments strengthening the role of traditional rulers through the creation of national, state, and local councils of traditional institutions are also up for consideration.
In the area of electoral reform, the public hearings will entertain bills seeking to legalize independent candidacy and introduce diaspora voting — two major shifts that advocates say will open up Nigeria’s political space and give voice to millions of citizens living abroad.
Judicial reforms are also on the agenda, with over 20 bills proposing changes such as time-bound delivery of judgments and expanded jurisdiction for election petition tribunals.
Furthermore, in what is seen as a bold step toward restructuring, the committee will review proposals to move key functions like labour and shipping from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List — allowing both federal and state governments to legislate on them.
The Senate Committee reaffirmed its commitment to a thorough and people-driven review process and encouraged all Nigerians to seize the opportunity to participate in the upcoming hearings.
“This is not just a legislative process; it is a national dialogue,” Senator Jibrin said. “Every submission, every opinion, every suggestion could shape the future of our democracy.”
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