The House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution has announced plans to hold zonal public hearings across 12 states of the federation between July 11 and 20, 2025.

Deputy Speaker of the House and Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, made this known during a meeting with consultants and secretariat staff in Abuja. He said the hearings will take place in two phases — the northern zones from July 11 to 13, and the southern zones from July 18 to 20.

Kalu explained that the exercise is aimed at gathering citizens’ input on proposed constitutional amendments, with an emphasis on ensuring inclusivity and grassroots participation in shaping the country’s legal framework.

“The current constitutional review process is perhaps the most comprehensive in our nation’s history,” he said. “We are addressing fundamental issues that touch on governance, security, fiscal federalism, and inclusive representation.”

The northern leg of the hearings will take place as follows:

• North Central:
  • Minna Center: Niger, Kwara, and Kogi
  • Lafia Center: Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue, and the FCT
• North West:
  • Kaduna Center: Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina
  • Sokoto Center: Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi
• North East:
  • Gombe Center: Gombe, Bauchi, and Taraba
  • Maiduguri Center: Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa

The southern zonal hearings will take place as follows:

• South South:
  • Yenagoa Center: Bayelsa, Edo, and Delta
  • Calabar Center: Cross River, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom
• South East:
  • Enugu Center: Anambra, Ebonyi, and Enugu
  • Owerri Center: Imo and Abia
• South West:
  • Lagos Center: Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo
  • Akure Center: Ondo, Osun, and Ekiti

Kalu noted that the committee is prioritising constitutional amendment proposals on gender inclusion, security and police reform, fiscal federalism, judicial reform, and devolution of powers.

He called on Nigerians across all geopolitical zones to participate actively in the hearings and assured that all inputs would be taken into consideration.

“This is about building a Constitution that reflects our collective aspirations,” he added. “Through these public hearings, we want every voice to count.”