NIGERIA SENATE TO PUBLICLY HEARS OVER 50 CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW PROPOSALS SIMULTANEOUSLY IN SIX ZONES - It Has Requested For Citizens, Stakeholders Contribution To Amendment Of The 1999 Constitution.

This Is A Tuesday, 24th, June, 2025, TERRAIN REPORTER™ Exclusive News Story Publication Culled By Justin Okpu, Special Assistant On Media To Distinguished Senator Ned Nwoko.

NIGERIA SENATE TO PUBLICLY HEARS OVER 50 CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW PROPOSALS SIMULTANEOUSLY IN SIX ZONES - It Has Requested For Citizens, Stakeholders Contribution To Amendment Of The 1999 Constitution. - By Justin Okpu, Special Assistant On Media To Distinguished Senator Ned Nwoko.

This Is A Tuesday, 24th, June, 2025, TERRAIN REPORTER™ Exclusive News Story Publication Culled By Justin Okpu, Special Assistant On Media To Distinguished Senator Ned Nwoko.

The Nigeria Senate's constitutional amendment Committee, on the Review of the Nigeria's Constitution 1999, has officially announced to the public, that it desire citizens and stakeholders participation in a 2-Day public hearing within the country’s six geo-political zones, simultaneously.

The public hearings, schedule to take place between July 4th and 5th, 2025, is expected to be part of an extensive national consultation process, aimed at reflecting citizens’ voices on critical issues shaping the future of governance in Nigeria.

According to a statement issued on sunday, 22nd June, 2025, by Ismail Mudashir, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Deputy Senate President and the Constitution Review Committee Chairman, Senator Barau Jibrin, has directed that the public hearings should be held simultaneously in Lagos (South West), Enugu (South East), Ikot Ekpene (South South), Jos (North Central), Maiduguri (North East), and Kano (North West).

The Deputy Senate President, Barau, revealed that the constitution amendments committee would be considering over 50 proposals, addressing a wide range of national concerns — from local government autonomy to gender representation, state police, judicial timeframe, and even the creation of new states.

*“This is a critical moment for our democracy, so we are calling on all Nigerians to be part of this national dialogue,”* Barau said. *“The aim is to ensure that the voices of citizens are reflected in the constitution that governs them.”*

Whilst considering it, a very significant position for the conversation on National dialogue, are two bills seeking to grant full autonomy to Nigeria’s 774 local governments.

One of the bills, proposed constitutional recognition of local councils as an autonomous tier of government, while the other recommends setting up an independent electoral body to oversee local elections — a move that could potentially free local politics from the grip of state governments.

The Senate would also be hearing proposals pertaining to national security, state creation, and fiscal governance overhaul.

The public hearings on issues of utmost Importance emanating from the general public outcry, like the creation of state, police forces and state security councils to tackle insecurity with tailored local approaches.

In the area of fiscal governance, six bills have been proposed, including one mandating a timeline for governors and the president to submit annual budgets, and another strengthening the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission to ensure accountability in public finance.

Additionally, 31 separate requests for new states — from all six zones — are on the table. These include seven from the North East alone, as well as multiple proposals from the South West, South South, and North Central.

The committee is also seeking to advance gender equity with a proposed bill to reserve additional legislative seats for women in both the National Assembly and the State Houses of Assembly.

In a nod to Nigeria’s traditional institutions, another bill proposes the formal recognition and establishment of National, State, and Local Government Councils of Traditional Rulers.

Reflecting further on the scope of the review, the bills enabling Nigerians in the diaspora to vote and allowing independent candidates to contest elections at all levels are scheduled for debate.

Over 20 judicial reform bills have also been submitted, aiming to accelerate the delivery of justice and broaden the jurisdiction of election tribunals.

Senator Barau emphasized on the significance of public engagement in this constitutional amendment.

*“This is more than a legal exercise — it is a democratic process. Every citizen has a stake in the Constitution. This is your opportunity to be heard.”*