The House of Representatives has called on the international community to support Nigeria’s ongoing constitutional review process through technical assistance, legislative exchanges, and inter-parliamentary cooperation.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who doubles as Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, made the appeal during a Constitution Review Diplomatic Dinner held at the National Assembly Library in Abuja on Friday night.
Themed “Constitution, Dialogue and National Renewal,” the event brought together foreign diplomats, development partners, and representatives of international organisations to explore opportunities for collaboration in reshaping Nigeria’s constitution.
The deputy speaker also reaffirmed that the ongoing constitutional review process will be concluded by December 2025, ahead of the next electoral cycle.
He said the deadline is strategic, ensuring that the review is not overshadowed or compromised by political campaigns and electoral activities that could distort its objectives.
Kalu said the lawmakers are seeking support in three major areas including study tours and legislative exchanges, technical expertise and research assistance, and stronger ties with parliamentary bodies abroad.
Kalu said that the lawmakers hope to benefit from exposure to diverse constitutional models and legislative practices, gain valuable insights into alternative governance structures, and strengthen their engagement with parliamentary bodies in other countries.
He added that Parliament will also welcome technical assistance from foreign countries and international organizations in the form of expert consultations, research support, and capacity building for the committee members and staff, stressing it would strengthen their ability to craft constitutional amendments that reflect global best practices while addressing Nigeria’s unique challenges and aspirations.
He said: “Your Excellencies, the task of constitutional reform is not one we undertake in isolation. As we navigate this complex process, we recognize the immense value of international partnerships, knowledge exchange, and collaborative learning.
“Parliamentary diplomacy has emerged as a powerful tool for strengthening
international cooperation, promoting democratic values, enhancing mutual
understanding, and facilitating the exchange of best practices in
constitutional and legislative matters. It is in this spirit that we have convened
this dinner tonight to explore avenues for meaningful collaboration that can
enrich our constitutional review process.
“We seek your support and partnership in several key areas: Study Tours and Legislative Exchange; Technical Resources and Expertise and Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation.
“We believe that exposure to diverse constitutional models and legislative
practices can significantly enhance our reform efforts. We invite your support
in facilitating study tours for our committee members to your respective countries to observe firsthand how similar constitutional issues have been addressed in different contexts.
“These exchanges would allow our lawmakers to gain valuable insights into
alternative governance structures, electoral systems, judicial frameworks,
and security architectures that might inform our own constitutional
amendments.”
According to the deputy speaker, constitutional reform requires specialized knowledge and expertise across various domains, from federalism and devolution to judicial independence and gender mainstreaming.
He said that the lower chamber would welcome technical assistance from your
countries and international organizations in the form of expert consultations, research support, and capacity building for our committee members and
staff.
“We seek to strengthen our engagement with parliamentary bodies in your countries through formal and informal channels of cooperation. This could include bilateral relations between our parliaments, participation in international parliamentary institutions, and thematic exchanges focused on specific areas of constitutional reform.
“These cooperative frameworks would facilitate the sharing of legislative
experiences, procedural innovations, and policy approaches that could enrich our constitutional review process”.
The Deputy Speaker also stressed that the approach to the constitutional review is founded on the principle of inclusive participation.
To this end, he said that the committee has adopted a multi-stakeholder engagement strategy that include public hearings, stakeholder consultations, digital platforms and media engagement, reiterating that the deadline for the completion of the review process remains December, 2025.
“This inclusive approach reflects our commitment to a constitution that truly
represents the aspirations of the Nigerian people and addresses their most pressing concerns”, he said.
