Abuja – June 23, 2025 – The Nigerian Senate has officially scheduled a two-day Zonal Public Hearing on the proposed amendments to the 1999 Constitution, with sessions set to take place simultaneously across the six geopolitical zones on July 4 and 5, 2025.
The hearings are being organised by the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, chaired by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau. The process marks a major milestone in Nigeria’s constitutional reform journey, aiming to incorporate grassroots perspectives into the country’s supreme legal document.
According to a statement signed by Ismail Mudashir, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Deputy Senate President, the designated venues for the hearings include:
Lagos (South West),
Enugu (South East),
Ikot Ekpene (South South),
Jos (North Central),
Maiduguri (North East),
Kano (North West).
The committee has called on stakeholders, civil society organisations, community leaders, professional bodies, youth and women groups, and the general public to actively participate in the sessions. These consultations are expected to focus on proposed amendments addressing state police, local government autonomy, judiciary reforms, electoral system restructuring, devolution of powers, and other pressing national issues.
“This exercise underscores our commitment to an inclusive, people-driven constitution that reflects the aspirations of all Nigerians,” Barau stated.
The Senate’s move follows renewed calls from various quarters for a more responsive and modern constitutional framework, especially in light of security challenges, economic restructuring debates, and demands for improved governance mechanisms.
Participants at the hearings will be allowed to make oral presentations, submit memoranda, and engage lawmakers on clauses relevant to their region or interests. The outcomes will inform the committee’s final recommendations, which will be harmonised with inputs from the House of Representatives and state assemblies.
The constitution review process is expected to culminate later this year with legislative approval of select amendments, after which the document may be subjected to ratification by the 36 State Houses of Assembly, as required by law.
As the 2025 zonal hearings approach, the Senate has assured Nigerians that the process will be transparent, apolitical, and open to all voices. The leadership also reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening national unity and institutional accountability through constitutional evolution.