Historic Reform Looms: House Of Reps Sets July 11 For Constitution Review Public Hearings

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has announced that zonal public hearings on the proposed amendment of the 1999 Constitution will commence on July 11, 2025, marking a critical phase in the effort to engage citizens in shaping Nigeria’s legal and political framework.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, Kalu outlined the schedule for the hearings, which will be held across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

Hearings in the North-East, North-West, and North-Central will take place from July 11 to 13, while those in the South-East, South-South, and South-West are scheduled for July 18 to 20. A national public hearing will follow on July 21.

Kalu stressed the need for maximum participation, urging zonal chairmen and deputies to coordinate closely with states to ensure active involvement of stakeholders.

“As previously agreed, the committee is committed to holding public hearings on the 87 prioritized bills, which have already passed second reading, across all six zones,” he said.

Outlining the next steps, Kalu revealed that a plenary debate on the bills will be held between October 7 and 9, with a vote set for October 14. Following this, the bills will be forwarded to state assemblies by October 30, 2025.

Further engagements are also scheduled:

• July 14: Meeting with political party leaders in Abuja.

• July 23: Consultation with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF).

• September 25–28: Joint committee meeting with speakers of the 36 state houses of assembly to align on the bills.

To strengthen public support, a diplomatic dinner is slated for July 20, focusing on key constitutional themes such as gender equality, security reforms, and state policing.

The committee will also meet with civil society and community-based organizations on July 3 to incorporate diverse viewpoints into the process. Additionally, a session with the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Guild of Editors will be held on July 8 to drive nationwide awareness and dialogue.

Kalu, who chairs the House Committee on Constitution Review, urged all members to be fully committed to ensuring that the amendment process is concluded and all bills are passed by December 2025.