Nigeria's legislature prioritizes constitutional reform

As lawmakers return from their mid-year recess, constitutional reform is set to take centre stage when the National Assembly reconvenes plenary on Tuesday. Among the top priorities is the ongoing review and amendment of the 1999 Constitution, spearheaded by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who chairs the 47-member Senate Constitution Review Committee. [ . . . ] Over in the House of Representatives, similar momentum is building. Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who chairs the House Committee on the Review of the Constitution, has announced that the lower chamber is working toward concluding the amendment process by December 2025. According to Kalu, more than 200 bills are currently being considered by the House. These cover reforms ranging from gender equality and inclusive governance to fiscal federalism, judicial reforms, and devolution of powers. Like the Senate, the House will also hold zonal public hearings in July to solicit citizens’ input. In a bid to build national consensus, the House committee is planning a joint retreat with critical stakeholders including the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, speakers of the 36 state houses of assembly, political parties, and the Senate Constitution Review Committee.
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