When news broke that the National Assembly had proposed 86 amendments to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, CAfPRA knew this was a defining moment for citizen-led advocacy. True to our mission of shaping people-centered policies, we moved quickly to ensure that civic voices would not be sidelined in such a historic process.
Getting Ahead of the Curve
We secured the Executive Summary of the proposed amendments early, along with the schedule for the Zonal Public Hearings across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. This early access allowed us to act decisively, immediately engaging the Directorate of Civic Advocacy (DCA) and mobilizing our legal experts for a rapid response.
Legal Minds at Work
Our Communities of Practice (CoP) Legal Unit held four in-depth review sessions, carefully analyzing the amendments. We placed particular focus on reforms that touch the heart of Nigeria’s democratic future — civil liberties, justice reform, and governance transparency. Each recommendation was backed by both legal precision and a deep concern for citizen welfare.
Showing Up for the People
Representation matters. That’s why CAfPRA lawyers were present at every zonal hearing across the country. We listened, engaged, and ensured that regional perspectives were documented and fed into our collective advocacy. This national presence strengthened our legitimacy as a civic voice standing for all Nigerians.
Taking the Conversation Public
Policy must live beyond the corridors of power. To engage everyday Nigerians, we hosted two high-level review sessions on Platform X (formerly Twitter). Over 1,000 people joined in, debating, questioning, and learning about what these amendments could mean for their daily lives. The energy in those conversations showed just how important constitutional reform is to our shared future.
Making Our Voice Heard
On July 19th, CAfPRA formally presented its position paper at the Lagos Zonal Hearing. Our submission emphasized people-centered reforms and participatory governance, urging lawmakers to keep citizens at the core of constitutional decision-making.
This process has reaffirmed our conviction: democracy thrives when citizens actively shape the policies that govern them. At CAfPRA, we remain committed to guarding this process — ensuring that reforms serve justice, equity, and the public good.