The National Assembly Joint Committee on Constitution Review on Monday moved closer to meeting its December 2025 deadline as members convened in Abuja to finalise the draft amendments to the 1999 Constitution.
Lawmakers are expected to vote in the coming weeks on key issues raised during nationwide consultations, including power devolution, fiscal federalism, electoral reforms, state police, and reserved seats for women.
Committee leaders confirmed that the process has entered its concluding phase, with no further submissions to be entertained. Senate Deputy President and Committee Chairman, Senator Barau Jibrin, said the meeting marked the completion of the committee’s assignment ahead of the voting stage.
“Our meeting today will be less deliberative. 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,” Jibrin stated.
He reminded members that most contentious issues had already been resolved at the Lagos retreat held a month earlier, leaving only ratification and technical adjustments.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Benjamin Kalu, praised members’ dedication and described the exercise as entering its decisive stage. “This is the final retreat before the historic voting on the constitution alteration bills. After today, we move from deliberation to decision, from consultation to legislative action, from debate to delivery,” he said.
Kalu highlighted the extensive nature of the review process, which included six zonal public hearings, three technical retreats, and consultations with governors, political parties, security agencies, traditional rulers, women’s groups, and civil society organisations. He said Nigerians had clearly demanded reforms to devolve more powers to states, guarantee local government autonomy, strengthen state policing, ensure credible elections, deepen fiscal federalism, and expand gender representation.
Both Jibrin and Kalu stressed that the next phase rests with the State Houses of Assembly, whose approval—two-thirds of all legislatures—is required under Section 9 of the Constitution. “The success or failure of this review will not be determined here in Abuja, but in the 36 State Assemblies. You are the gatekeepers of constitutional reform,” Kalu said.
Jibrin explained that the retreat was designed to align state lawmakers with the committee’s work before the bills are formally transmitted. Kalu added that all state governors would be briefed on Wednesday to secure executive support and avoid political obstacles.
“This is not to undermine executive authority, but to strengthen federalism and deliver the democracy Nigerians deserve. History is watching us. Over 200 million Nigerians anticipate direction from this Assembly,” Kalu said, urging Speakers of State Assemblies to act as “ambassadors of reform.”
With deliberations concluded, the committee’s sub-reports will be harmonised and presented for voting in both chambers. If approved by two-thirds of the State Assemblies, the bills will proceed to the president for assent, marking one of the most significant legislative decisions of the 10th National Assembly.
