The National Assembly has unveiled 37 priority bills for the amendment of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
This development, announced on Friday, June 13, 2026, forms part of the ongoing comprehensive review of the constitution aimed at addressing long-standing governance, electoral, and socio-economic challenges facing the country.
The selected bills cover critical areas including electoral reforms, judicial independence, local government autonomy, state creation, and strengthening of democratic institutions. Lawmakers described the selection as strategic, focusing on issues that have direct impact on national development and citizens’ welfare.
Constitutional amendments have been a recurring exercise since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999. While previous efforts achieved some successes such as financial autonomy for local governments, many stakeholders believe deeper and more comprehensive reforms are still required.
The current National Assembly, under the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, has promised a more thorough and inclusive process that will involve wide consultations with stakeholders across the country.
The National Assembly has assured Nigerians that the amendment process will be transparent, with adequate public hearings and zonal consultations. This latest move comes at a time when many citizens are calling for fundamental changes to the 1999 Constitution, which some have described as a military-imposed document that needs a comprehensive overhaul to reflect current realities.
As the process unfolds, political analysts and civil society groups will be closely monitoring how inclusive and effective the exercise will be.
