The House of Representatives has commenced a national public hearing on constitutional amendment proposals that could fundamentally reshape the country’s political, security, and governance structures.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who chairs the House Committee on Constitution Review, declared that the exercise is “Nigeria’s most inclusive constitutional review in history,” stressing that its outcome must reflect the voices of citizens rather than the preferences of the political elite.
In his opening remarks at the public hearing on Monday, Mr Kalu emphasised that the legitimacy of the new amendments will depend on their acceptance by Nigerians themselves.
He described the current stage of the process as “the culmination of months of public consultations across the six geopolitical zones,” during which citizens, civil society groups, traditional leaders, security agencies, and professional bodies submitted memoranda and testimonies.
Mr Kalu traced Nigeria’s constitutional evolution from the 1922 Clifford’s Constitution to the present 1999 Constitution, arguing that every era has reflected the anxieties and aspirations of the time.
He noted, however, that the 1999 Constitution, drafted by the military, has remained contested for being less representative of Nigeria’s democratic will.
He said, “These aspirations, these anxieties, and these unresolved questions, the challenges of the 21st century demand a Constitution that is not an answer for the past, but a dynamic view that brings into the future.
“This is the sole mandate of the House of Representatives Committee in Constitutional Review.”
For the amendments to take effect, they must secure two-thirds majority support in both chambers of the National Assembly and approval from at least 24 state Houses of Assembly.
Mr Kalu cautioned that while the public hearing represents the “final stage of citizen engagement,” the bills still face “rigorous scrutiny, harmonisation with the Senate, and pruning by state assemblies.”
He urged Nigerians not to disengage after the hearings but to remain vigilant and hold lawmakers accountable until the reforms are passed:
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, described the hearing as “a significant moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey,” noting that the review results from deliberate, nationwide engagement designed to “ensure that arterial chromosomes shape the evolution of our supreme law.”
Mr Tajudeen praised Mr Kalu’s leadership in conducting zonal consultations that gathered the “hopes, concerns, and insights of Nigerians from every background.”
He stressed that this hearing unites those diverse voices into a single national conversation.
He highlighted the need for timeliness and closure, warning that constitutional reform often loses momentum when it drags on:
“Reform delayed is reform denied. Nigerians deserve clarity and closure. After the National Assembly votes on these bills, the State Houses of Assembly must also consider and approve them under Section 9 of the Constitution.
“We have set clear timelines to transmit the proposals promptly to state legislatures so that conformance can be secured within this legislative session,” he said.
Mr Tajudeen also welcomed the strong presence of women at the hearing, reaffirming his support for the reserved seats bill and related proposals to guarantee women’s inclusion in parliament and ministerial appointments.
He further endorsed the amendment to recognise the role of traditional rulers in peacebuilding and community security, describing it as a pragmatic way of integrating cultural realities into modern governance without undermining republican principles.
President Bola Tinubu, represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, commended the House for opening the process to citizens, stressing that the constitution is a “living document” that must evolve with Nigeria’s realities.
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