The National Assembly Joint Committee on Constitution Review moved closer to meeting its December 2025 deadline on Monday as members convened in Abuja to finalise the draft of proposed amendments to the 1999 Constitution.
Lawmakers are set to vote in the coming weeks on key issues raised during earlier public consultations, including power devolution, fiscal federalism, electoral reforms, state police, and reserved seats for women. Committee leaders said the process has now entered its concluding phase, with no further submissions to be considered.
Senate Deputy President and Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Senator Barau Jibrin, described Monday’s meeting as the final step before the voting stage. “The purpose is to approve positions reached previously. This is the last lap of this assignment. We must fulfil our promise to Nigerians and the bills will be transmitted to the State Houses of Assembly this year,” he said.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Benjamin Kalu, described the exercise as extensive, highlighting six zonal public hearings, three technical retreats, and consultations with governors, political party leaders, security agencies, traditional rulers, women’s groups, and civil society organisations.
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“These engagements showed Nigerians’ clear demand for reforms to devolve more powers to states, guarantee local government autonomy, strengthen state policing, ensure credible elections, deepen fiscal federalism, and expand gender representation,” Kalu said.
Attention now shifts to the 36 State Houses of Assembly, whose approval by two-thirds of the legislatures is required under Section 9 of the Constitution for the amendments to proceed. Jibrin and Kalu said governors would be briefed this week to secure executive support and minimise political obstacles.
With deliberations concluded, the committee’s sub-reports will be harmonised and presented for voting in both chambers, marking a decisive stage in the 10th National Assembly’s legislative agenda. If approved by the State Assemblies, the bills will proceed to the president for assent.