Stakeholders across the Southwest have called for bold and inclusive reforms to Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, as the Senate Committee on Constitution Review held its Lagos zonal hearing on Thursday.
The event, which took place at the Water Crest Hotel in Ikeja, drew a wide range of participants, including traditional rulers, legal experts, political leaders and civil society advocates, all pressing for constitutional amendments that reflect Nigeria’s diversity, population realities and current challenges.
Representing the Senate Committee was Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, who led the plenary on behalf of the committee’s deputy chairman, Senator Barau Jibrin. The Lagos State Government, through Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, welcomed participants and charged them to focus on submissions that promote unity, justice and national growth.
“Lagos, with its population and economic size, deserves more than one state,” Dr. Hamzat said, urging the committee to consider the creation of additional states from Lagos to meet growing administrative needs.
The event saw a strong presence of traditional rulers including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade; the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo; and the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye. Their presence signified the central role of traditional institutions in shaping national dialogue.
A passionate intervention came from Professor Adeola Faleye of Obafemi Awolowo University, who advocated for the creation of Igbomina State. She argued that such a state would correct years of underrepresentation and give a voice to an important cultural and administrative region.
Her proposal received widespread applause and further highlighted the demand for equity and fair representation.
Dr. Oluwatoyin Alabi, a prominent public affairs analyst, commended the Senate for creating a platform that gives voice to ordinary Nigerians. “This process gives hope,” he said. “We need a constitution that matches the current realities of our people and addresses long-standing calls for equity, justice, and true federalism.”
Participants also raised concerns on other critical national issues, including the need for state police, devolution of powers, resource control, electoral reform, gender inclusion, and full local government autonomy.
In his closing remarks, Senator Sharafadeen Alli assured the gathering that all memoranda would be reviewed with sincerity and fairness. “This is not a political exercise,” he said. “It is about giving Nigerians a constitution they can believe in—a document that truly represents all of us.”
The Lagos hearing was one of several zonal sessions being held nationwide. It underscored growing national consensus that Nigeria’s current constitution needs a serious overhaul—one that reflects the voices of its people, respects its diversity, and creates a fairer structure for development.
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