Nigeria's long-awaited Constitution amendment process has now entered what political leaders are calling its final phase. In a significant development on Monday, November 24, 2025, the National Assembly reached crucial alignment with state legislatures on proposed changes to the country's foundational document.
Historic Meeting in Abuja
During a high-level joint session held in Abuja, Deputy Senate President Senator Jibrin I. Barau, who also chairs the Senate Constitution Review Committee, declared that the gathering represented a critical turning point. He emphasized that lawmakers must now transition from extensive debates to making concrete decisions about the nation's future governance structure.
Unlike previous meetings characterized by disagreements and detailed clause examinations, Monday's session focused primarily on endorsing previously negotiated positions. Participants reviewed sub-committee reports covering several vital areas including State and Local Government creation, devolution of powers, and structural adjustments that emerged from nationwide public consultations.
Strategic Inclusion of State Legislatures
Senator Barau explained the strategic importance of bringing state Houses of Assembly into the process at this juncture. Since constitutional amendments require state legislative approval to become law, this early involvement aims to prevent last-minute obstacles and ensure smoother passage when the formal bills eventually reach them.
"This is the convergence point," Barau stated, revealing the National Assembly's plan to transmit the final amendment bills to state parliaments before the conclusion of 2025. This timeline demonstrates the renewed urgency among federal lawmakers to deliver what could become the most substantial constitutional update since 1999.
Broader Implications for Nigerian Governance
Political analysts view this coordinated approach as a strategic move to build consensus between federal and state legislators. This unity comes amid increasing public demand for constitutional reforms that address pressing national challenges including governance deficiencies, security gaps, and accountability shortcomings in the current framework.
With committees now advancing to the final review stage, Monday's session clearly indicated a shift from consultation to consolidation. This sets the stage for what many hope will become Nigeria's most decisive constitutional transformation in recent history, potentially reshaping how power is distributed and exercised across the federation.
