The Nigerian National Assembly has begun reviewing fresh requests for the creation of new states and local governments as part of the ongoing amendment to the 1999 Constitution.
Deputy President of the Senate, Barau I. Jibrin, stated this, during the opening of a two-day joint retreat of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on the Review of the 1999 Constitution held in Lagos.
Jibrin, who also chairs the Constitution Review Committee, said the National Assembly remains committed to producing people-oriented constitutional amendments within the timeline set by lawmakers.
“For the past two years, we have engaged constituents, stakeholders, civil society organisations, and interest groups through town hall meetings and public hearings. The process has so far produced 69 bills, 55 state creation requests, two boundary adjustments, and 278 local government creation requests,” he said in a statement issued by his media aide, Ismail Mudashir.
According to him, the retreat would enable committee members to consider each of the proposed amendments and make recommendations for adoption by both chambers.
“It will not be an easy task to conclude in two days, but I believe we can do it, especially as we have promised Nigerians to deliver the first set of amendments before the end of the year,” Jibrin stated.
As the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, the senate president, urged lawmakers to put national interest above personal or sectional considerations.
“We are here as one committee — there should be no division between the Senate and the House. Our guiding principle must be what best serves Nigerians,” he said.
Jibrin reiterated that the current amendment exercise aims to address long-standing structural challenges, enhance local governance, and strengthen Nigeria’s federal system for more equitable development across all regions.
