Prominent stakeholders from Nigeria’s Southwest region gathered in Lagos on Friday for a zonal public hearing on the review of the 1999 Constitution, where the Senate acknowledged that previous amendments failed to address critical governance issues plaguing the nation.
The event, held at the Water Crest Hotel in Ikeja, underscored the urgent need for a constitution that tackles fundamental challenges, including state police, devolution of powers, and the role of traditional institutions.
Deputy President of the Senate and Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, represented by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, highlighted the shortcomings of past efforts.
“In response to the demands of Nigerians, the National Assembly has enacted five amendments to the Constitution, known as the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Alteration Acts,” Jibrin noted.
However, he emphasized that “several fundamental issues of national importance remain unresolved, requiring more than just routine law-making by the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly.”
Jibrin pointed out that initiatives to introduce state police, enshrine traditional institutions in the constitution, and devolve powers to subnational governments failed to secure the necessary two-thirds approval from state assemblies in previous amendments.
“These issues continue to dominate public discourse with many Nigerians advocating for legislative action to address them,” he said, adding that the committee had received “hundreds of memoranda addressing key issues” such as electoral and judicial reforms, local government enhancement, gender equity, and security concerns.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, stressed the need for genuine federalism.
“The challenges confronting the federation are significant and wide-ranging,” he said, listing priorities such as “the pursuit of genuine federalism and the devolution of powers; empowering and enhancing our local governments; establishing new states to bring governance closer to the people; reforming the electoral and judicial systems, boosting the involvement of women and youth in political landscape, and ensuring the security and welfare of the citizens.”
He described these issues as striking “at the heart of what it means to be Nigerian” and reflecting a “shared aspiration for a fairer, more equitable, and thriving nation.”
Sanwo-Olu praised the Senate’s decision to hold the hearing in Lagos, noting that it underscores the city’s “vital role in the development of our nation’s democracy.”
He urged for an inclusive process, stating, “We must be guided by the principles of inclusiveness, equity, and justice. It is crucial that we listen to everyone—men and women, young and old, from all corners of our communities. Their hopes, worries, and dreams should shape the amendments that come out of this process.”
The event saw participation from traditional rulers, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi (Ọjájá II), Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, and others, alongside the Southwest Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye.
Aribasoye pledged the support of state assemblies, stating, “When transmitted to the state legislatures, we are going to consider all the bills purely in the national interest.”
Jibrin assured attendees that the Senate Committee approaches the review with “no preconceived opinions” and is committed to “legislative practices grounded in the highest ethical standards, integrity, open-mindedness, and patriotism.”
The committee has drafted bills based on the memoranda received and is seeking further input to shape a constitution that addresses Nigeria’s evolving governance needs.
