Constitution Review: Reps to engage Governors, State Assembly Speakers, Media Executives, others

The Constitution Review Committee of Nigeria’s House of Representatives is scheduled to engage with key national stakeholders, including the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), on 23 July 2025, to present constitutional amendment bills currently under consideration and to seek their support for passage.

The Committee will also hold a joint retreat with members of the Senate Constitution Review Committee and the Speakers of the 36 State Houses of Assembly, aimed at harmonising proposed bills and ensuring nationwide consistency.

In addition, the Committee has lined up strategic engagements with media executives, including the Nigerian Guild of Editors and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), as well as civil society organisations and the diplomatic community. These efforts are intended to enhance public discourse and awareness on constitutional matters, and to promote transparency and accountability throughout the review process.

These consultations form part of the Committee’s roadmap to ensure the successful passage of key constitutional amendment bills by December 2025.

Disclosing this during a panel meeting held on Wednesday at the National Assembly in Abuja, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Rt Hon Benjamin Okezie Kalu, presented a detailed activity timeline.

He stated: “We urge members to work diligently to ensure that current bills before the Committee are passed by December 2025. We are also mindful of the possibility of a second round of amendments, as new bills continue to be sponsored.

“Progress is being steadily made in implementing our work plan, and our objectives remain achievable. However, there are critical activities that must be accomplished within the stipulated timeframe.”

The second engagement with the NGF is expected on Wednesday, 23 July 2025, to present bills under review, as previously requested, and to secure the governors’ endorsement, particularly for bills considered contentious.

A joint retreat involving members of both chambers’ Constitution Review Committees and the Speakers and Clerks of the 36 State Houses of Assembly is scheduled to take place from Thursday, 25 to Sunday, 28 September 2025, for the harmonisation of the bills.

Further engagements include:

A Diplomatic Dinner on 20 June 2025, to seek international support and collaboration on thematic areas such as gender inclusion, security architecture, and state policing, aligning the review with global best practices.

An interactive session with Civil Society and Community-Based Organisations, scheduled as part of the National Assembly Open Week on Thursday, 3 July 2025, at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja. This engagement will incorporate expert views, highlight gaps in the current constitutional framework, and stimulate broader national debate.

A media engagement involving the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NUJ, and the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), scheduled for either Tuesday, 8 or Wednesday, 9 July 2025 in Abuja. The session aims to encourage robust public discourse and foster a sense of ownership among citizens.

“The media plays a vital role in making the constitutional review process inclusive and transparent, ensuring the public is well-informed,” Kalu noted.

He also announced that public hearings on the 87 priority bills, all of which have passed second reading, would be held across the country’s six geopolitical zones, to ensure wide consultation and grassroots participation.

Zonal hearings will take place as follows:

Northern zones: Friday, 11 – Sunday, 13 July 2025

Southern zones: Friday, 18 – Sunday, 20 July 2025

National Public Hearing: Monday, 21 July 2025

In addition, engagement with the leadership of Nigeria’s 18 registered political parties will be held on Monday, 14 July 2025 in Abuja.

A one-week plenary debate on the constitution review bills is slated for Tuesday, 7 to Thursday, 9 October 2025, to enable members to familiarise themselves with the content ahead of the vote.

The plenary voting will take place on Tuesday, 14 October 2025, followed by a Secretariat Retreat from Thursday, 16 to Sunday, 19 October 2025, to produce a clean copy of the amended bills.

Finally, the formal transmission of the bills to State Assemblies is scheduled for Thursday, 30 October 2025, during a ceremonial event to be held at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, with the participation of the leadership of the Constitution Review Committees of both chambers, alongside State Speakers and Clerks.