Nigeria's constitution review committee nears completion of final draft

The National Assembly Joint Committee on Constitution Review on Monday moved closer to meeting its December 2025 deadline as members convened in Abuja to finalise the draft amendments to the 1999 Constitution. Lawmakers are expected to vote in the coming weeks on key issues raised during nationwide consultations, including power devolution, fiscal federalism, electoral reforms, state police, and reserved seats for women. [ . . . ] Kalu highlighted the extensive nature of the review process, which included six zonal public hearings, three technical retreats, and consultations with governors, political parties, security agencies, traditional rulers, women’s groups, and civil society organisations. He said Nigerians had clearly demanded reforms to devolve more powers to states, guarantee local government autonomy, strengthen state policing, ensure credible elections, deepen fiscal federalism, and expand gender representation. Both Jibrin and Kalu stressed that the next phase rests with the State Houses of Assembly, whose approval—two-thirds of all legislatures—is required under Section 9 of the Constitution. “The success or failure of this review will not be determined here in Abuja, but in the 36 State Assemblies. You are the gatekeepers of constitutional reform,” Kalu said.
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