The Nigerian Senate will today begin its public hearing on the review of the 1999 Constitution, with the first session holding in Lagos, according to Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central).
The hearing marks the start of a nationwide consultative process aimed at addressing key national concerns. Among the major issues up for debate are proposals for the creation of 18 additional local government areas, the establishment of state police, and extensive electoral reforms.
Senator Bamidele, who also chairs the South-West Zonal Constitution Review Committee, emphasized the importance of public involvement, noting that the exercise will allow citizens to contribute meaningfully to the shaping of the nation’s governance and legal structure.
“The forum provides Nigerians with a vital platform to express their views on critical issues shaping the nation’s governance framework,” Bamidele stated in a press release.
To ensure inclusive and widespread participation, the Senate has scheduled simultaneous public hearings across other geopolitical zones, with the exception of the North-West region.
The hearing for the North-West was postponed out of respect for the death of prominent Kano industrialist and philanthropist, Alhaji Aminu Dantata, who passed away on Saturday.
The Lagos session is expected to span two days, with stakeholders from civil society, traditional institutions, political parties, legal experts, and everyday citizens expected to participate and present memoranda.
This round of hearings represents another chapter in Nigeria’s ongoing quest to strengthen democratic institutions, enhance federalism, and align the Constitution with the evolving aspirations of its people.
