In a major constitutional development, the National Assembly Joint Committee on Constitution Review has approved the creation of six new states one in each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
If ratified, this move will increase the total number of states in the country from 36 to 42, marking one of the most significant political restructurings in Nigeria’s history. The North-West will have eight states, while the North-East, North-Central, South-West, and South-South will each have seven, and the South-East will finally have six states.
The decision was reached during a two-day retreat in Lagos, held between Friday and Saturday, and marks a major step in the ongoing constitutional amendment process.
According to the committee, a sub-committee chaired by Chief Whip of the Senate, Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North), has been established to determine the specific areas from which the new states will be created.
During the session, lawmakers reviewed 55 proposals for new states, two boundary adjustment requests, and 278 requests for additional local government areas submitted by various groups nationwide.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and Deputy Speaker Ben Kalu are expected to present the resolutions to both chambers when plenary resumes, after which members will debate and vote on the proposals.
Constitutional process for new states
The creation of new states in Nigeria is governed by Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution, which outlines a rigorous multi-stage process. It begins with a formal request supported by at least two-thirds of elected representatives from the affected area.
The proposal must then be approved in a referendum by two-thirds of the people in the concerned area and endorsed by a simple majority of all states — meaning at least 19 states and 51% of state lawmakers nationwide must support it.
The final approval requires a two-thirds majority in both chambers of the National Assembly before it is transmitted to the President for assent.
Political implications and challenges
A 9am News report gathered that the move has already sparked political interest across regions, as influential figures lobby for their areas to be included. For instance, in the South-West, lawmakers are debating proposals for Ibadan State and Ijebu State, while in the South-East, agitation for Anioma State — an Igbo-speaking area currently in Delta State is gaining traction, with Senator Ned Nwoko (APC, Delta North) sponsoring the bill.
Observers note that while the proposal reflects efforts to address regional imbalances, the process may face constitutional, political, and financial hurdles, given the complex requirements for state creation.
Since the return to democracy in 1999, the 1999 Constitution has undergone five amendments, but most state creation efforts have stalled at various stages due to lack of consensus.
The committee, however, pledged to conclude the review process and forward final recommendations to state assemblies before the end of the year.
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