The National Assembly’s (NASS) Joint Committee on Constitution Review has approved the creation of an additional state in Nigeria’s South East region, marking a major step toward addressing decades-long regional imbalance in the country’s federal structure.
The decision, which emerged at the end of a two-day retreat in Lagos, means the South East could soon have six states instead of five, bringing it in line with other geopolitical zones that have six or seven states.
The retreat was presided over by Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu.
During deliberations on 55 separate proposals for new states, Kalu, a prominent advocate for an additional state in the Southeast, stated that the committee’s decision was rooted in equity, justice, and fairness, rather than politics.
“This is not about political convenience or emotion,” Kalu said.
“It is about ensuring fairness for a region that has, for far too long, been short-changed in Nigeria’s federal arrangement.”
The motion for the new state was moved by Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) and seconded by Hon. Ibrahim Isiaka (Ifo/Ewekoro, Ogun State).
It reportedly passed without opposition, receiving unanimous support from members of the joint committee.
In addition to approving the South East state, the committee also set up a subcommittee to examine other requests for new states and local government areas across the six geopolitical zones.
The subcommittee will review 278 pending proposals before submitting a harmonised report to the full committee for consideration.
In his closing remarks, Senator Jibrin urged members to initiate wide consultations and advocacy across both chambers of the National Assembly and among the State Houses of Assembly, emphasizing the need for a national consensus ahead of the final constitutional vote.
“We must consolidate on this progress.
“By the time we get to the stage of voting, all stakeholders, from the Senate to the States, should already be on board,” he said,
The approval represents a significant milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing constitutional reform process, addressing persistent calls for parity among the country’s six geopolitical zones.
While the name and boundaries of the proposed new state have not yet been revealed, insiders say the subcommittee will work with relevant stakeholders to finalise details before making a formal recommendation to the National Assembly.
If the resolution eventually gains the support of two-thirds of federal lawmakers and at least 24 State Houses of Assembly, the new state will officially become Nigeria’s 37th state.
(Agency Report)
