The Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution is currently reviewing 31 new proposals for state creation, alongside major constitutional amendment bills aimed at restructuring governance in Nigeria. Of the state creation requests, six are from the North-East, six from the North-West, and three from the South-East.
In a broader reform effort, the Senate is also advancing moves to grant full autonomy to the country’s 774 local government areas (LGAs), and is considering over 20 bills targeting judicial reforms, including setting timelines for judgment delivery.
These developments come as the committee, chaired by Deputy Senate President Barau I. Jibrin, prepares to hold a nationwide two-day zonal public hearing to collate citizens’ input on the proposed amendments. The hearings are scheduled to take place concurrently on July 4 and 5, 2025, across the six geopolitical zones: Lagos (South-West), Enugu (South-East), Ikot Ekpene (South-South), Jos (North-Central), Maiduguri (North-East), and Kano (North-West).
According to a statement from Ismail Mudashir, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Deputy Senate President, critical issues to be discussed at the hearings include local government autonomy, state policing, electoral and judicial reforms, fiscal restructuring, gender equity, and inclusive governance.
Among the bills under consideration is a proposal to constitutionally recognise local governments as a full tier of government, ensuring democratic tenure and independence. Another bill seeks to establish a National Local Government Electoral Commission (NALGEC) to conduct and supervise local elections nationwide.
On policing, two bills propose the creation of state police and state security councils, aimed at enhancing internal security coordination at the state level.
The committee is also looking at six fiscal reform bills, one of which would empower the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission to enforce fiscal discipline and another to mandate timelines for presenting appropriation bills by the President and state governors.
Gender inclusion is also on the agenda, with a bill proposing additional seats for women in federal and state legislatures. To reinforce traditional institutions, a bill proposes the creation of national, state, and local councils of traditional rulers.
Electoral reform bills include provisions for independent candidacy across all levels and enfranchising Nigerians in the diaspora to vote in national elections.
Judicial reforms focus on expanding the jurisdiction of election tribunals and enforcing deadlines for the delivery of judgments, while a push for devolution of powers includes proposals to move items like labour and shipping from the Exclusive to the Concurrent Legislative List.
Reiterating the importance of public input, the committee urged Nigerians to actively participate in the upcoming zonal public hearings to help shape a more inclusive and effective constitution.
Leadership
