Nigeria may soon have six additional states, as the National Assembly Joint Committee on Constitutional Review has approved a proposal recommending their creation a major development that could reshape the country’s political and administrative structure.
The decision emerged from a two-day retreat in Lagos, co-chaired by Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu.
According to reports, the committee unanimously agreed to the move after reviewing 55 different requests for new states from across the federation. The lawmakers also deliberated on 69 bills, two boundary adjustment proposals, and 278 requests for the creation of new local government areas.
In the proposal, each of the six geopolitical zones North West, North East, North Central, South West, South East, and South South will get one new state. If approved, this will raise Nigeria’s total number of states from 36 to 42.
Speaking at the session, Senator Barau Jibrin said the recommendation was the result of two years of extensive consultations involving citizens, civil society groups, institutions, and other stakeholders.
“We have been in this process for the past two years, engaging our constituents and critical stakeholders through town hall meetings, public hearings, and interactive sessions,” Jibrin said. “These engagements have shaped what we have today 69 bills, 55 state creation requests, and 278 local government proposals.”
The next step will see the proposal forwarded to the full chambers of the National Assembly for debate and possible constitutional amendment.
If passed, the move will redefine Nigeria’s geopolitical balance, giving every region an equal number of states a significant milestone in the country’s federal structure.
