NASS to Debate 44 Constitution Amendment Bills

The National Assembly NASS is preparing to open debate on 44 far-reaching constitution alteration bills that could usher in the most sweeping reforms to Nigeria’s governance structure since the country returned to democracy in 1999.

The bills, scheduled for deliberation and voting by both chambers, cover major areas including electoral processes, judicial restructuring, devolution of powers, state policing, inclusive governance, traditional institutions, and full autonomy for local governments.

The legislative move marks a significant step in Nigeria’s long-running conversation on political and administrative restructuring. For years, citizens, civil society groups, and political leaders have advocated decentralising federal powers, reforming the justice system, strengthening institutions, and increasing grassroots accountability. The last amendment to the 1999 Constitution—its Fifth Alteration—was signed by former President Muhammadu Buhari on March 17, 2023, with 16 proposed changes adopted.

Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who chairs the Constitution Review Committee, reaffirmed that the National Assembly is determined to conclude the amendment process before the end of 2025. Although the House previously scheduled voting for October 14, the timeline was pushed back, leaving debate yet to commence. Kalu said the delay was to allow deeper consultations and ensure the final provisions reflect broad national consensus.

Since early 2025, lawmakers have held public hearings nationwide and engaged stakeholders across sectors, including traditional rulers, legal experts, election observers, women’s rights groups, youth organisations, and security experts. Inputs from these sessions shaped the 44 bills now ready for parliamentary debate.

Local Government Autonomy Tops Agenda

Nine of the 44 bills focus on reforming local government administration, an area widely criticised for weak autonomy and excessive control by state governments. The central bill proposes to firmly establish local government councils as a constitutionally recognised tier of government with democratically elected leadership. Instead of chairmen and vice-chairmen emerging through heavily state-influenced processes, the proposal suggests selection through members of local legislative councils.

Other bills seek to strengthen oversight at the grassroots by establishing the offices of state auditors-general for local governments and Abuja’s area councils. Several amendments also aim to correct or update names of existing LGAs across Delta, Oyo, Kaduna, Osun, Akwa Ibom, and Ekiti states.

Citizenship, Inclusion, and Gender Representation

Three bills target inclusive governance and citizenship rights. One seeks to remove gender discrimination in citizenship acquisition by extending eligibility to foreign men married to Nigerian women—rights currently reserved only for foreign women married to Nigerian men. Another proposes a citizenship-by-investment programme for qualified foreign investors meeting set financial thresholds.

A major gender-focused amendment proposes reserved seats for women: one special seat per state and the FCT in both the Senate and House of Representatives, as well as three additional seats per state in all Houses of Assembly. If passed, it would mark the most significant intervention yet in bridging Nigeria’s persistent gender gap in representation.

Electoral Reforms and Accountability

The package includes three key electoral reforms. These include granting State Independent Electoral Commissions clearer appointment criteria and expanded powers; enabling independent candidacy at federal, state, and local polls; and formally establishing an Electoral Offences Commission with powers to investigate and prosecute electoral crimes—long considered a missing link in electoral justice.

Strengthening Federal and State Institutions

Several other proposals aim to enhance institutional capacity and accountability. One suggests expanding the Federal Civil Service Commission to ensure each state and the FCT has a representative. Another mandates that every local government must have at least one representative in its state House of Assembly.

A landmark bill seeks to separate the offices of Attorney-General at state and federal levels from the positions of Minister or Commissioner for Justice, insulating them from political interference. Another proposes disentangling the offices of governors and deputies on matters of qualification and disqualification addressing controversies such as the 2019 Bayelsa governorship reversal.

State Police and National Security

Two bills within the security cluster include the long-debated establishment of state and community policing systems and granting financial independence to the Armed Forces of the Federation.

Judicial Reforms

Eight bills target judicial independence, speedy justice, and structural efficiency. These include fast-tracking election petition hearings, regulating appellate jurisdiction, direct funding of courts through the National Judicial Council, and expanding the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court to include electoral offences.

Human Rights, Devolution of Powers, and Traditional Institutions

Another set of bills seeks to expand and protect fundamental rights, including defining acts of torture, safeguarding unborn children of pregnant women on death row, and recognising the right to a clean, safe environment.

Three devolution bills propose transferring tourism, quarantine, and certain road construction responsibilities from the exclusive to the concurrent legislative list.

For traditional institutions, bills propose establishing a national Council of Traditional Rulers and guaranteeing at least five percent direct funding for traditional leaders.

Fiscal Transparency

Two bills address fiscal responsibility: mandating timely submission of audited financial statements by all government agencies, and requiring public disclosure of Auditor-General reports.

As debate opens, the National Assembly faces heightened public scrutiny, with many Nigerians viewing the constitutional review as a vital opportunity to reshape governance, strengthen institutions, and resolve long-standing structural challenges in Africa’s largest democracy.