The 10th National Assembly has set the ball rolling for the sixth round of alteration to the 1999 Nigerian Constitution. The House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review has issued a Call for Memoranda, enjoining Nigerians to submit memoranda or proposals for further amendments to the Constitution on a variety of thematic areas including the Nigeria Police and Nigerian security architecture, public revenue, fiscal federation and revenue allocation, judicial reforms, electoral reforms, traditional institutions, gender related issues, process of State creation, State access to mining, among others, as well as any other matter that will promote good governance and welfare of all persons in the country on the principles of freedom, equality and justice.
Earlier, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio on February 14, constituted a 45-member Committee on Constitution Review chaired by the Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau.
In the House of Representatives, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, inaugurated the 43-member Committee on Constitution Review at an inaugural ceremony and citizens’ engagement organised by the Committee on February 26, 2024 in Abuja. The event was supported by Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). A variety of stakeholders cutting across representatives of ministries, agencies and departments of government, Speakers of State Houses of Assembly, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, women groups, media practitioners, ethnic nationalities, professional bodies, Nigerians in diaspora, diplomats and development partners, among others, were in attendance.
In his welcome remarks, Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee and Deputy Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, identified certain critical areas that will be considered in the Constitution review exercise, such as entrenching the roles of traditional institutions in the Constitution, increasing the political representation of women, State access to mines, among others. He assured that the Committee will ensure that every voice is heard, every perspective is considered and that every citizen is empowered to participate in shaping the future of the nation.
Executive Director of PLAC, Clement Nwankwo in his goodwill message, noted improved representation of women in the Nigerian legislature, devolution of powers and the best structure for policing, as some of the key issues for Constitution review. He enjoined civil society to engage in the Constitution review process, to ensure the delivery of meaningful reforms.
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, noted that Nigeria is a key democracy on a global level and that the United Kingdom was proud of its partnership with Nigeria. He expressed the United Kingdom’s support to Nigeria as it embarks on another round of Constitution review exercise.
The President of the Senate, represented by the Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau, noted that the Constitution review exercise is a testament that the government is listening to the voice of the people, to ensure that the Constitution reflects the will of the people. He enjoined Nigerians to engage in the process with an open mind, to culminate in a more just and equitable Nigeria.
In his inaugural address, the Speaker noted Local Government Autonomy and State Police as some of the key issues in the Constitution review agenda. He also urged the Constitution Review Committee to re-consider the issue of increasing legislative seats for women, citizenship for foreign spouses of Nigerian women, which did not pass in the Constitution review exercise of the 9th National Assembly. He urged Nigerians not to shy away from the complexities and debates that will arise from the review process.
Furthermore, he underscored the House’s commitment to allow ample time for robust public engagement, detailed analysis and conclusion of the proposals for Constitution amendment in good time, to avoid issues occasioned by late amendments.
Other highlights of the event include an Inaugural Lecture delivered by Prof. Dakas C.J. Dakas and a Citizens’ Engagement session that featured the following as panelists: Tor Tiv of Tiv Nation, His Royal Majesty, Prof. James Ayatse; Etsu Nupe of Nupe Kingdom, Alhaji Dr. Yahaya Abubakar, CFR; President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yakubu Maikyau, OON, SAN; Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule; former House of Representatives Member, Hon. Uche Onyeagocha and Executive Director of Cedarseed Foundation, Lois Auta. They identified and spoke to various issues that should be considered in the Constitution amendment process.
The House has set a December 2025 deadline for the conclusion of the Constitution review exercise, to allow enough time for the process before the commencement of the political campaign season ahead of the 2027 general elections commences.