By Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
Stakeholders from across the Southwest have converged on the Water Crest Hotel in Lagos for the Zonal Public Hearing on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, organised by the Senate Committee on Constitution Review.
Senate Majority Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, representing the Deputy Chairman of the Senate Constitution Review Committee, Senator Barau Jibrin, presided over the plenary session on Friday.
Hosted by the Lagos State Government, the hearing formed part of the National Assembly’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s legal and institutional framework through inclusive citizen engagement.
The event witnessed a high-level turnout of traditional rulers from the Southwest, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II; Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Arinola Owoade; Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Dr. Victor Adesimbo Kiladejo, Jilo III; Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III; and several other prominent monarchs. Their presence underscored the cultural and historical weight of the constitutional dialogue and affirmed the pivotal role of traditional institutions in national development.
The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, who declared the hearing open. In his address, Dr. Hamzat urged participants to be sincere, objective, and focused in their presentations. He emphasised the need for reforms that promote justice, unity, and sustainable development, and advocated for the creation of additional states from Lagos to reflect its demographic and economic prominence.
Among notable attendees present was Distinguished Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, a member of the Constitution Review Committee, who reiterated the Senate’s commitment to an inclusive, participatory amendment process.
Also prominent among the attendees was Dr. Oluwatoyin Alabi, a respected entrepreneur, philanthropist, and public affairs analyst, who joined other concerned Nigerians in deliberating on key constitutional reforms.
The Lagos hearing was one of several zonal engagements across the country aimed at gathering grassroots input on national issues such as state policing, resource control, devolution of powers, local government autonomy, electoral reforms, and gender inclusion.
One of the most compelling contributions came from Professor Adeola Fakeye of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, who passionately advocated for the creation of Igbomina State. Citing cultural, historical, and administrative grounds, her submission resonated strongly with the audience and received resounding applause.
Speaking to journalists, Dr. Alabi commended the Senate Committee for providing a platform that enables citizens to actively shape the nation’s constitutional future. He stressed the urgency of reforms that reflect Nigeria’s current realities and called for greater equity, justice, and national integration.
As a proud son of Igbomina land, Dr. Alabi’s participation also reflected the rising influence of faith-based and civil society actors in national policy discussions.
In his closing remarks, Senator Alli assured participants that all submissions and memoranda would be carefully considered. He reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to delivering a reformed constitution that reflects the collective aspirations of Nigerians and strengthens democratic governance.
He also noted that the Lagos session marked a major milestone in the ongoing constitutional review process, with stakeholders expressing optimism that the final outcome would usher in transformative reforms capable of repositioning Nigeria for peace, equity, and long-term progress.