By Salihu Mohammed
Nigeria is poised for a significant geopolitical restructuring as the National Assembly’s joint committee on Constitutional Review has unanimously approved the creation of six new states. This pivotal decision, which came after reviewing a staggering 55 separate requests from across the country, sets the stage for Nigeria’s map to expand from 36 to 42 states.
The consensus was reached during a decisive two-day retreat held in Lagos, co-chaired by Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu.
The core mandate of the committee was to ensure geopolitical balance. Consequently, the recommendation provides for the creation of one new state in each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones:
North West
North East
North Central
South West
South East
South South
This move, if it successfully navigates the complex constitutional process, will eliminate the current disparity, giving every region at least six states.
Speaking on the comprehensive nature of the review, Senator Barau Jibrin noted that the decision was the culmination of years of rigorous work. “We have been in this process for the past two years, engaging our constituents, critical stakeholders, institutions, civil society organisations and interest groups… harvesting and synthesising views and perspectives,” he stated.
In addition to the state creation proposal, the committee also considered 69 bills, two boundary adjustment proposals, and 278 requests for new local government areas during the retreat.
The proposal for state creation now moves to the full chambers of the National Assembly for deliberation and possible constitutional amendment, marking the first major hurdle in a process that requires approval by two-thirds of the National Assembly and two-thirds of the State Houses of Assembly.
