The National Assembly Joint Committee on Constitution Review has endorsed the creation of an additional state in Nigeria’s South-East region — a decision aimed at addressing long-standing demands for fairness and equity in the country’s geopolitical structure.
If approved, the South-East will join the South-South, South-West, North-Central, and North-East zones in having six states each. Currently, the region comprises five: Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo.
The resolution emerged during a two-day retreat held in Lagos on Saturday, where members of the committee deliberated on 55 proposals for new states across the country. The session was chaired by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, while the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, served as co-chair.
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In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the committee said the recommendation was made “in the spirit of fairness and equity,” calling on the Federal Government to ensure the establishment of one more state for the South-East.
Kalu, who has consistently championed the cause, described the development as “a step towards giving the people of the region a stronger sense of belonging in the Nigerian federation.”
A statement released by the committee’s media unit confirmed that lawmakers voted unanimously in favor of the motion.
“Following deliberations, Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) moved the motion for the creation of the new state, which was seconded by Hon. Ibrahim Isiaka (Ifo/Ewekoro, Ogun State). The motion received unanimous support and was adopted,” the statement read.
The committee also constituted a sub-committee to review other requests for new states and local government areas across all six geopolitical zones. According to the communiqué, 278 proposals were submitted for consideration.
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Speaking at the closing session, Senator Jibrin urged lawmakers to sustain the momentum by engaging colleagues in both chambers and at the state level to ensure the success of the proposal when it reaches the voting stage.
“We need to strengthen what we have started so that all parts of the country will key into this process. By the time we get to the actual voting, we should already have the buy-in of all stakeholders—from both chambers and the State Houses of Assembly,” he said.
