The 36 state governors and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, have expressed their commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution. This pledge comes as part of ongoing efforts to engage a wide range of stakeholders for comprehensive constitutional amendments aimed at strengthening the nation’s governance framework.

On Tuesday, the House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the Constitution revealed plans to consult various groups in the process, including the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), the Nigeria Guild of Editors, the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures, political party chairmen, and civil society organizations.

During a recent meeting between the NGF and Kalu’s Committee in Abuja, Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, informed the press that discussions not only focused on constitutional matters but also on other urgent national issues. The forum, led by Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, stressed the critical role of data and technology in improving Nigeria’s education system, particularly in the management of educational resources.

The Deputy Speaker, who chairs the Committee on the Review of the Constitution, highlighted the importance of collaboration between state and federal governments to ensure that constitutional amendments align with state-level priorities. Governors voiced their strong support for the initiative, underscoring their willingness to contribute to reforms that will fortify the Nigerian Constitution.

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In addition to constitutional matters, the NGF also held discussions with the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, to address challenges facing Nigeria’s education sector. Key issues included high numbers of out-of-school children and the prevalence of learning poverty, particularly in the northern regions. The meeting proposed enhancing federal-state collaboration, improving girl-child education, incorporating vocational training, and using technology to advance educational outcomes.

Governors assured their commitment to partnering with the Federal Government and international development partners to tackle these educational challenges, with a shared goal of achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 on quality education for all.

After the meeting, Kalu emphasized the importance of integrating governors into the constitutional review process to accelerate progress. He explained that the Committee received over 160 proposed amendments and plans to present them in upcoming engagements with regional stakeholders. The Deputy Speaker also expressed optimism about the creation of a liaison desk between the National Assembly and the NGF, which will help streamline collaboration and ensure timely progress on the amendments.

Although the Tax Bill was not a focal point of the meeting, Kalu confirmed that the governors are open to discussing all aspects of the constitutional review, including areas related to taxation. He reiterated that the governors have expressed confidence in the Parliament’s role in scrutinizing and aligning proposed reforms with the wishes of the Nigerian people.