CONSTITUTIONAL RESET: NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SENDS AMENDMENT BILLS TO 36 STATES
Nigeria’s constitutional reform process moves from Abuja to the states, putting lawmakers across the federation at the centre of a decision that could reshape governance, federalism and the balance of power.
Exclusive to Ekocity | By Ekocity Politics & Governance Desk
Nigeria’s long-running debate over constitutional reform has entered another decisive phase.
The National Assembly has transmitted proposed constitutional amendment bills to the 36 State Houses of Assembly, beginning the next stage of the process required before amendments can become part of Nigeria’s Constitution It is a procedural step, but its political significance is considerably larger.
The National Assembly can propose amendments. It cannot unilaterally rewrite the Constitution. Under Nigeria’s constitutional framework, proposed amendments must secure the support of at least two-thirds of the State Houses of Assembly before the relevant provisions can proceed toward presidential assent.
That means the centre has now handed part of the constitutional conversation to the states. And the states have a choice. They can approve, reject or scrutinise the proposals before taking a position. For ordinary Nigerians, however, the important question is not simply whether lawmakers will vote yes or no. It is what exactly is being changed.
Constitutional reform touches some of the country’s most sensitive political questions: the relationship between federal and state governments, fiscal arrangements, local government administration, electoral institutions, judicial independence, security and the distribution of political power.
Some reform advocates have long argued that Nigeria’s present constitutional structure is excessively centralised, leaving states dependent on Abuja for responsibilities that could be handled more efficiently at the subnational level. Others warn that constitutional restructuring without stronger institutions could simply move problems from the federal level to state governments.
That debate is now moving into the chambers of the State Houses of Assembly. The timing is also politically significant. Nigeria is heading toward the 2027 general elections, meaning constitutional reform will inevitably be viewed through a political lens. Some proposals may affect the interests of political parties, governors, legislators and other institutions.
That makes transparency particularly important. Citizens should know which provisions are being amended, why they are being amended and what practical consequences the changes could have. A constitutional amendment is not merely a legislative technicality. It can determine who controls resources, who exercises authority and how citizens interact with government. For the states, the current process presents both an opportunity and a responsibility.
Governors and state legislators have frequently demanded greater autonomy from Abuja. Now, the State Houses of Assembly have a direct constitutional role in deciding whether proposed changes move forward. The question is whether they will approach that responsibility as representatives of their political parties—or as custodians of the constitutional future of their states. Nigeria has debated constitutional reform for decades. The latest process offers another opportunity to address structural weaknesses that have repeatedly frustrated governance. But reform should not become an exercise in political engineering. The Constitution belongs to the Nigerian people. As the amendment bills move from Abuja to the states, the country deserves a debate that is open, evidence-based and focused on one fundamental question: Will these amendments make government work better for Nigerians?
That is the standard by which the reform should ultimately be judged.
Fawumi Kayode Abiodun
Political Analyst | CEO, Ekocity Media | Publisher, Ekocity Magazine and The Capitol Post
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