Senate Begins 1999 Constitution Review Hearings in Lagos

The Senate’s public hearing on the proposed amendments to the 1999 Constitution begins today in Lagos, signaling the start of what could be a transformative dialogue about Nigeria’s political and structural future.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), who also chairs the South-West Zonal Constitution Review Committee, confirmed the kickoff in a statement released on Sunday, June 30.

The two-day Lagos hearing is expected to generate heated but necessary conversations on key national issues, including:

• The creation of state police

• Establishment of 18 new local government areas

• Comprehensive electoral reforms

• Broader governance restructuring

According to Bamidele, the forum provides Nigerians with a vital opportunity to express their views on critical changes that could reshape the country’s democracy and federal structure.

To ensure inclusive civic input, the Senate has scheduled simultaneous hearings across multiple geopolitical zones. However, the North-West zone hearing has been postponed due to the passing of Alhaji Aminu Dantata, a respected Kano industrialist and philanthropist, who died on Saturday.

Why This Hearing Matters

• Citizens get a rare chance to shape constitutional direction

• Issues like state policing and local autonomy could redefine security and governance

• Electoral reform discussions may affect how future elections are conducted

Bamidele emphasized that the constitutional review is more than a procedural formality—it’s a national conversation, and public engagement is both welcome and needed.

“This hearing is a crucial platform for Nigerians to share their opinions on reforms that will affect how we are governed,” he stated.