The Students' Legislative Council (SLC) of the Federation of Iwoland Students' Union (FILSU), National Headquarters, under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Ademola Stephen Babalola has announced the completion of its Constitution Review Committee's draft ahead of its presentation to the Full House on Saturday, October 31, 2026, for deliberations and final approval.
The development marks a significant step in the Union's ongoing efforts to strengthen its legislative framework, address constitutional gaps, and restore the institutional standards expected of its legislative arm.
According to information made available to our correspondent by the Chairman of the House Press Committee, Hon. Abdulbakri Adeyinka, in a statement issued and signed by the Speaker of the Union, Rt. Hon. Ademola Stephen Babalola, the present administration has deliberately prioritised institutional development, human capacity building, and the restoration of the Union's legislative legacy over administrative politics. The Speaker noted that the administration's central objective has been to create lasting institutional impact, expressing confidence that the current parliament has recorded one of the most active assemblies of Honourable Members in the Union's recent history, supported by an open-door legislative approach.
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| Official portrait of the FILSU National Speaker RT. HON. ADEMOLA STEPHEN BABALOLA |
The statement disclosed that the Constitution Review Committee (CRC) was constituted in April 2026 under the chairmanship of Hon. Folorunsho Kehinde Seun, a former Deputy Speaker and current Majority Leader of the House. The Deputy Speaker, Hon. Muraina Barokat Boluwatife, also serves as an ex-officio member of the committee. Other members include Hon. Bello Fahisat Omorantiola (Secretary), Hon. Abdulrahman Mujeeb, Hon. Adebayo Mustopha, Hon. Saheed Taiwo Olalekan, and Hon. Ridwan Alawusa, comprises serving Honourable Members drawn from different constituencies across the Union, selected based on their profiles and legislative capacity.
Explaining the rationale behind the composition, the Speaker referenced Article II, Section 10; Section 15(A), Subsection 2; and Section 17, Subsections 7 and 9 of the FILSU Constitution, noting that lawmaking and constitutional interpretation remain fundamental responsibilities of the legislative arm. He further explained that the approach was not a departure from the customary framework adopted during the 2017 constitutional review but an improvement upon the existing template, reflecting the growing capacity and institutional maturity of the Union's parliament.
The Speaker explained that the committee's activities were structured into three distinct phases to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive review process. The first phase involved the committee's independent examination of the existing Constitution, during which identified errors and areas requiring attention were categorised into legislative, organisational, and grammatical corrections.
The second phase focused on incorporating bills previously passed by the House. In this regard, the SLC reached out to successive parliaments since the last constitutional review in 2017 to obtain records of legislative amendments. According to the statement, only two bills passed during the 2018/2019 legislative session have so far been identified. These include a bill providing for the inclusion of a second Public Relations Officer (PRO 2) and another establishing the Disciplinary Committee as an in-house committee of the Union. Both provisions are expected to be incorporated into the revised Constitution before its public release.
The third phase was designed to accommodate contributions and recommendations from the general public. To achieve this, the committee released a Google Form through which members of the public could submit observations and proposals.
The Speaker appreciated individuals who had contributed through the online form and those who had directly communicated their recommendations to his office. He assured that all submissions would receive due consideration within the framework of the Union's objectives and constitutional provisions.
The statement also acknowledged the contributions of past Speakers of the Union from the 2017 constitutional review period to date, recognising their guidance and institutional support throughout the process.
Special appreciation was extended to the Chairman of the 2017 Constitution Review Committee, Hon. Comr. Salawu Ilyas, popularly known as Barr. Jega, for his continued support, guidance, and contributions to the ongoing exercise. The Union's Legal Adviser, Barr. I. T. Tewogbade, Esq., was equally recognised for his fatherly advice and legal guidance, which the Speaker described as instrumental to the progress made so far.
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| Names of committee that has drafted the constitution in 2005 and list of 2017 Constitution Review Committee. |
The Speaker further acknowledged FILSU alumni who had offered constructive observations, corrections, and recommendations, noting that their contributions had helped guide the process and strengthen the quality of the constitutional document.
Commending the Constitution Review Committee, the Speaker recognised the dedication and commitment of its members, describing their work as a significant contribution to the institutional history of FILSU.
As part of the next stage of the exercise, the Speaker confirmed that the completed draft had been forwarded to the Union President, the Chief Justice, and Honourable Members of the House ahead of the October 31 sitting.
He further disclosed that Honourable Members had begun submitting motions relating to the constitutional review in accordance with Section IV of the Standing Orders. These motions are expected to be considered during the forthcoming sitting as part of the House's deliberative process.
In recognition of the institutional importance of the exercise, official invitations have also been extended to all past Speakers of the Union who have served since the last constitutional review to participate as official observers during the sitting.
The Speaker equally announced that members of the general public interested in observing the proceedings are welcome to apply in writing to his office. However, attendance will be subject to available seating, with consideration given on a first-come, first-served basis.
The forthcoming presentation represents an important milestone in the development of FILSU's legislative institution. Beyond correcting existing errors and incorporating previously enacted bills, the exercise seeks to strengthen the constitutional foundation upon which the Union's activities and governance are conducted. The Speaker expressed appreciation to everyone who has contributed to the process, while expressing hope that the intentions behind the review would be favourably judged by history and future generations of the Union.
With the draft now set for consideration by the Full House, attention turns to the October 31 sitting, where Honourable Members are expected to deliberate on the proposed amendments and determine the final direction of the constitutional review.
The development further reinforces the commitment of the FILSU Students' Legislative Council to legislative excellence, institutional continuity, accountability, and the preservation of a lasting legacy for future generations of Iwoland students.
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