As the constitutional review nears its slated December 2025 deadline, the Deputy Speaker is on the verge of his most ambitious achievement.
Under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Nigeria is driving the most comprehensive amendment process in the nation’s history, with over 87 priority bills addressing critical areas of national development.
At a recently held Constitution Review Legislative Dialogue, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review outlined the strategic plan to deliver a constitution that strengthens Nigeria’s democracy, promotes inclusive governance, enhances national security, ensures fiscal responsibility, and reflects global best practices.
The Journey So Far
Since the inauguration of the House Committee on Constitution Review in February 2024, it has embarked on a deliberate, inclusive, and methodical approach to constitutional amendment. The committee, comprising representatives from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, has been tasked with the solemn responsibility of addressing the pressing constitutional issues that have emerged in our Nigeria’s polity and closing gaps in the nation’s legal system.
Key activities of the Committee thus far:
- Sectoral Engagement with the Judiciary: The Committee has conducted extensive consultations with judicial stakeholders to address critical reforms needed in Nigeria’s justice system.
- International Legislative Women’s Dialogue: In collaboration with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre and with support from the European Union, the Committee convened this landmark event to advance women’s political representation through constitutional amendments.
- Local Government Summit: Following the Supreme Court’s decision mandating democratically elected local governments, the Committee engaged stakeholders on constitutional amendments to guarantee local government autonomy.
- Constitution Review Legislative Dialogue on National Security Architecture: The Committee also hosted a high-level dialogue with security stakeholders to address constitutional imperatives for Nigeria’s peace and security.
These engagements reflect a commitment to an inclusive, consultative approach that ensures all voices are heard and all perspectives considered in this critical national exercise.
The Scope of the Constitutional Review
The current constitutional review process is perhaps the most comprehensive in the nation’s history, addressing fundamental issues that touch on governance, security, fiscal federalism, and inclusive representation. The Committee is currently considering 87 prioritized constitutional amendments, grouped into thematic areas that reflect the aspirations and concerns of the Nigerian people.
- Gender Bills and Inclusive Governance
The Committee is deeply committed to enhancing women’s political representation and addressing gender disparities in our governance framework. It is considering bills that would create reserved seats for women in the National and State Houses of Assembly, ensure gender balance in the composition of the Federal Character Commission, and promote fairness and inclusivity in leadership positions. The International Legislative Women’s Dialogue hosted last October reaffirmed its commitment to these reforms, and the Deputy Speaker sponsored a bill to create Special Seats for women as a temporary special measure to improve women’s political inclusion. - Security and Police Reforms
The security challenges facing Nigeria demand bold constitutional reforms. The committee has passed for second reading a landmark bill (HB-617) seeking to transfer policing from the Exclusive to the Concurrent Legislative List, enabling the establishment of State and Local Government Police. This bill, which is co-sponsored by the Deputy Speaker with 14 other lawmakers, represents a clarion call for a tailored, community-centric policing system that acknowledges the unique position of our states to address security challenges within their borders. Other security-related bills under consideration include those seeking to align the appointment of service chiefs with established protocols, enhance the constitutional recognition of the Civil Defence Corps, and grant the National Assembly power to declare industries essential for defense purposes. - Fiscal Reforms
The committee is considering ten bills focused on enhancing accountability, improving revenue management, and ensuring prudent economic governance. These include proposals to mandate the presentation of audited reports alongside budget proposals, set specific timelines for budget presentation, create special accounts for borrowed funds and grants, and transfer the management of excess hydrocarbon revenues to the National Sovereign Investment Authority. It is also examining amendments to increase the derivation fund from natural resources and VAT to not less than 50%, provide savings mechanisms in the Federation Account, and establish mandatory periodic reviews of the revenue formula. - Judicial Reforms
The 22 judicial reform bills under consideration aim to enhance the efficiency, transparency, and integrity of Nigeria’s judiciary. Key proposals include streamlining electoral adjudication, creating Pre Election Tribunals, and setting shorter timelines for determining election petitions. Additional amendments target the Supreme Court and other judicial bodies to improve service delivery, including expanding the number of Supreme Court Justices, introducing leave requirements for appeals, and empowering judges to conclude part-heard criminal cases after elevation to higher courts. - Devolution of Powers
The committee is examining 15 bills aimed at decentralizing governance and enhancing federal-state cooperation. These include proposals to transfer water management, interstate commerce, mines and mineral resources, taxes and levies, road tolls, and labor relations to the Concurrent Legislative List, allowing states greater autonomy in these critical areas. - Local Government Autonomy
Following the recent Supreme Court decision mandating democratically
elected local government councils, the Committee is considering amendments to guarantee local government autonomy, empowering them as an independent and effective tier of government. These reforms address critical issues related to financial autonomy, administrative independence, democratic elections, and mechanisms for accountability at the local level.
Our approach to constitutional review is founded on the
principle of inclusive participation. We recognize that the legitimacy of our constitution depends not merely on its substantive provisions but on the process through which it is amended.-Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu CFR
Ahead of the December 2025 deadline, the Committee has adopted a multi-stakeholder engagement strategy that includes:
Media Engagement: The Committee is maintaining open communication
channels with the media to ensure transparent reporting on our
activities.
Public Hearings: The Committee will conduct hearings across the six geopolitical zones to gather input from citizens on proposed amendments.
Stakeholder Consultations: The Committee has engaged and continue to engage with the Nigerian Governors Forum, Conference of Speakers of State Assemblies, civil society organizations, and professional bodies.
Digital Platforms: The Committee is leveraging technology to enable broader public participation in the review process.
According to the Deputy Speaker, the December timeline is deliberate, designed to ensure that the review is concluded “before the commencement of electoral activities that might inadvertently affect the alteration process”. In the coming months, the Committee plans to intensify its engagement with stakeholders, conduct public hearings across the country, and refine the proposed amendments based on the feedback received. The Committee will work closely with the State Houses of Assembly, whose concurrence is required for constitutional amendments, to build consensus and expedite adoption.
The objective remains clear – to deliver a constitution that strengthens Nigeria’s democracy, promotes inclusive governance, enhances security, ensures fiscal
responsibility, and aligns with global best practices in constitutional design.
