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First draft constitution ready in August, final copy for presidential assent after NASS’ voting out in August, 2025-Kalu
…as Committee calls for memoranda from Nigerians
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has said that the first draft report of the ongoing review of the 1999 constitution would be ready in August 2025 just as the final clean copy for the presidential assent after the voting on the expected issues of concern by the two chambers of the national assembly would be out in August, 2025.
Kalu dropped the hints at a press conference by the House Committee on Constitution Review on Thursday.
It will be recalled that the committee on its inauguration, Monday, in Abuja gave a 24 month timeline for the conclusion of the exercise.
At the press conference, Kalu who doubles as the chairman of the committee said: “We are pushing to ensure that in our activities, that in no distance time, the first draft of the work we are trying to do in the constitution will be ready.
“This will be subject to approval of the work done by the subcommittee. Let me mention that our target, the first draft of the constitution will be out in August 2024.
“Second draft will be out in October 2024, we will commence zonal inputs from October 2024, we’ll keep collecting inputs from citizens from 14th October 2024 as we prepare for the last version or that last draft copy of the constitution.
“We are hoping that there will be a harmonization of the issues, on the 27th, 28th February 2025.
“We are hoping that during a technical working retreat that will take place in February 2025, the Senate and the House of Representatives documents will be harmonized.
“It is our desire that on the 17th of March 2025, we will have harmonized documents considered in the House. It is our believe that by April 2025, we will have the final copies of draft amendments produced.
“We are optimistic also that by 12th May 2025, we’ll have, the final clean copy of amendments bills agreed on.
“And we are looking at 22nd May 2025, as a time when we will have final report laid for consideration and voting.
“This is to say that members will be voting on the work we have done on this important date of 22nd May 2025
“We are believing that around the 29th of May or 13th of June knowing fully well what these important dates mean to Nigerians, we will expect the final concurrence of state assemblies secured.
“If it delays more than that, it will not go beyond August of 2025 because we believe that by August 2025, the president will receive the bills that will be presented to him for presidential assent. So, our targets that transmission of bills to Mr President for assent will take place August 2025.
“And with this, we are sure that our target to get this job done in 24 months will be achieved if we send it Mr President by August 2025 and hoping that by December we will have a constitution that’s fully amended. Thank you very our guests and honorable colleagues”.
The Deputy Speaker also called for submission of memoranda from different interest groups, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Labour Unions, relevant institutions of government and the members of the general public to aid the committee’s work.
He said that the thematic areas included Federal Structure and Power Devolution; Local Government/Local Government Autonomy; Public Revenue, Fiscal Federation, and Revenue Allocation; Nigerian Police and Nigerian Security Architecture; Comprehensive Judicial Reforms; Electoral Reforms to strengthen INEC to deliver transparent, credible, free and fair elections; Socio-economic and cultural rights as contained in Chapter 2 of the
constitution and Traditional Institutions.
Other were Issues of Gender; Strengthening the Independence of oversight institutions and agencies created by the constitution or pursuant to an Act of the National Assembly; Residency and Indigene Provisions; Immunity; The National Assembly; Process of state creation and State access to mining.
“In exercise of the powers conferred on the Legislature by Sections 4, 8, and 9 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as
Amended) and Order 20, Rule 30 of the Standing Orders of the House of
Representatives (11th Edition) and the Legislative Agenda of the 10th
House of Representatives, I am pleased to invite the Executive and
Judicial bodies, State Governments, Women Groups, Academics, Civil
Society Organizations, Labour Unions, Professional bodies, Ethnic
Nationalities, Nigerians in the Diaspora, Diplomats and the general public,
to submit memoranda or proposals for further alteration(s) of the 1999
Constitution (as amended) on the following thematic areas: The Federal Structure and Power Devolution; Local Government/Local Government Autonomy; Public Revenue, Fiscal Federation, and Revenue Allocation; Nigerian Police and Nigerian Security Architecture; Comprehensive Judicial Reforms; Electoral Reforms to strengthen INEC to deliver transparent, credible, free and fair elections; Socio-economic and cultural rights as contained in Chapter 2 of the
constitution; Traditional Institutions; Issues of Gender; Strengthening the Independence of oversight institutions and agencies created by the constitution or pursuant to an Act of the National Assembly; Residency and Indigene Provisions; Immunity; The National Assembly; Process of state creation; State access to mining”, he said.
The committee however extended the call for memoranda to “any other matter that will promote good governance and the welfare of all persons in our country on the principles of freedom, equality, and justice”.
By Gloria Ikibah
Communities in Bende Federal Constituency, Abia State, are beginning to see visible signs of change as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu recently launched a series of public infrastructure projects.
The initiative, which began on Friday, took Kalu across three key wards Bende, Itumbauzo, and Uzuakoli, where he formally opened a number of completed facilities. These include blocks of classrooms, administrative offices, rehabilitated roads, and new boreholes.
Bende Constituency, one of the largest in the country with 13 wards, has long grappled with infrastructure gaps. The newly delivered projects are seen as part of a broader effort to close those gaps and raise the standard of living in the area.
Residents say the projects are already making a difference in both school attendance and ease of movement between villages. Many hope this momentum continues in the months ahead.
…as labour minister call for stricter laws to protect workers
By Gloria Ikibah
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, has expressed serious concern over the state of workplace safety in Nigeria, calling for urgent legislative action to prevent further injuries and fatalities.
Speaker Abbas made the call during the 2025 World Day for Safety Conference, with the theme: “The Legislative Perspective: Safety First – Building a Safer Future for All Nigerians”, organised by the House Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations at the National Assembly complex on Tuesday.
The Speaker who was represented by Ondo lawmaker, Rep. Oluwatimehin Adelegbe, said that the occasion was a reminder of the need to protect Nigerian workers from occupational hazards.
He said: “Today’s event is very significant, especially in the lives of workers across the globe. It reminds us of the need to guarantee the safety of workers against occupational hazards and fatalities.
“In societies where life is not given the right premium, workers are exposed to various accidents and dangers. Every worker has a right to be protected.”
Speaker Abbas acknowledged the global importance of the World Day for Safety, which was launched in 2003 by the International Labour Organization (ILO), and shared alarming statistics. “About 2.3 million workers lose their lives every year from workplace injuries and health hazards, with about 160 million non-fatal injuries,” he noted.
Abbas lamented the lack of reliable data In Nigeria, and said the most recent figures—238 deaths and 3,461 injuries in the construction industry—date back to between 2014 and 2016. “Even those reports are incomplete,” he added.
He also cited a study at the Federal Medical Centre in Asaba, which found that 52.7 percent of health workers surveyed had experienced needle pricks, while 53.3 percent reported incidents of blood splashes, and linked this to greater risks during outbreaks like Ebola and COVID-19, recalling the sacrifices of Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh and Nurse Justina Ejelonu, who died after coming in contact with the index Ebola case in 2014.
The Speaker blamed many of the injuries in construction sites and criticised the neglect of safety in public buildings.
“Unsafe acts and unsafe working conditions, including lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), hoisting gear, appropriate scaffolds and ladder protection.
“Most public buildings and workplaces in Nigeria are design-built and opened for use without safety checks. Apart from fire extinguishers, you hardly see buildings marked with reflective signs that guide workers in emergencies”, he lamented.
Abbas promised that the House would review and streamline existing laws to improve enforcement and public health protections.
“As the law-making body, the House of Representatives is poised to cause the necessary review of existing laws and seek ways to make them more effective in safeguarding public health and safety”, he added.
The Chairman Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations, Rep. David Idris Zacharias in his welcome address said the event marked a historic moment in our nation’s journey towards building a safer, more resilient society.
He stressed that safety must be prioritized, embedded in every policy, and included in every planning phase of our national projects. Whether it’s construction, road, workplace, environmental, or food safety, these are not peripheral issues—they are central to our well-being.
According to Zacharias, the committee’s mission is not only to pass laws but to ensure they are implemented effectively.
He acknowledged that enforcement gaps, poor awareness, and weak appreciation of safety still plague the country. However, he added, and that these challenges present us with immense opportunities to innovate, collaborate, and learn from others.
The committee chairman therefore called for partnerships with businesses, labour unions, NGOs, and the public.
He promised stronger enforcement, increased funding, more monitoring, and public awareness campaigns.
“Safety must be everyone’s concern. From the smallest corner shop to the largest industrial complex, we all have a role to play. We envision a future where safety is embedded in every organisation’s culture, every construction project, and every government policy,” he said.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, in his message called for stronger legislation and cooperation among stakeholders to build a safer work environment for all Nigerians.
He also emphasised that while innovation is necessary, it must not come at the cost of workers’ welfare.
He said: “The theme of today’s conference, The Legislative Perspective: Building a Safer Future for All Nigerians, highlights the critical role of legislation in helping to shape a resilient and future-ready occupational safety and health framework.
“Legislation is central to navigating the digital frontier responsibly; ensuring that innovation does not erode the foundational rights, dignity, and welfare of the Nigerian worker.
“The safety of our workers must be anchored on secure technologies, sound data protection, and inclusive policy frameworks that uphold international labour standards”.
Dr. Dingyadi also stressed the importance of collaboration through the tripartite model involving government, employers, and workers’ organizations, to ensure policies are both enforceable and inclusive.
He further acknowledged delays in reviewing labour laws but said progress had been made, and called for unity across all sectors to build a lasting culture of safety.
“Year 2024 marked significant progress with the publication of Nigeria’s revised OSH Country Profile and the Federal Executive Council’s approval of landmark OSH regulations such as the Construction Safety Regulations 2024”, he added.
The Minister also spoke about the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Bill, which he said was developed through wide consultations.
“The Ministry has led the development of the Occupational Safety and Health Bill, which has been crafted through our distinctive Tripartite Plus framework. We count on the continued partnership of all stakeholders to make this a reality.
“Together, let us rise to the challenge of building a resilient safety culture, underpinned by innovation, inclusivity, and a shared commitment to protecting the lives of all Nigerian workers”, Dingyadi stated.
Reflections of Victor Oluwafemi Walsh in development communication, policy innovation in Africa
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