The National Assembly is gearing up for another round of constitutional amendments, with a potential focus on State police, Value Added Tax (VAT), and electoral reforms. The exercise, which has been a consistent practice over the last 24 years, is estimated to cost the country an average of N1 billion yearly.
In the past 24 years, there have been at least 30 alterations to the 1999 Constitution, amounting to a cumulative cost of N24.85 billion. The upcoming amendment is particularly urgent due to the ongoing legal battle over VAT collection between the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and some state governments, such as Rivers and Lagos.
Separate committees, led by Deputy President of the Senate Jibrin Barau and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, will be inaugurated for this purpose. The resumption of legislative activities follows a three-week Christmas and end-of-year recess.
