By Nathaniel Zaccheaus, and Cajetan Mmuta
In a landmark decision poised to alter Nigeria’s political and constitutional landscape, the Joint Committee of the National Assembly on Constitution Review has approved the creation of six additional states, one from each of the country’s six geopolitical zones.
The far-reaching resolutions, reached at the committee’s two-day retreat held at the Lagos Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, also endorsed the introduction of independent candidacy and the creation of additional elective seats exclusively for women across all states of the federation.
Co-chaired by Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the committee, comprising one senator and one member of the House from each of the 36 states, considered a total of 69 constitutional amendment bills, including 55 requests for new states, two boundary adjustments, and 278 proposals for local government creation.
At the end of deliberations, members unanimously agreed that each geopolitical zone should get one new state, potentially increasing Nigeria’s federating units from 36 to 42 if ratified by the National Assembly and at least 24 state Houses of Assembly as required by the Constitution.
A ranking senator on the committee told ThisNigeria that the decision was based on principles of equity and fairness to address long-standing regional agitations for balance in Nigeria’s federal structure.
The source said, “The spirit of the decision is unity, fairness, and inclusion. Every zone will now have the opportunity to host an additional state, ensuring that no region is left behind.”
To identify specific areas for the proposed states, the committee constituted a sub-panel chaired by Senator Mohammed Monguno, with representatives from each zone.
The subcommittee, the source added, is expected to review all 55 pending requests for state creation and harmonise them into six viable proposals for presentation to plenary in the first week of November.
Speaking after the session, a member of the subcommittee from the North West pledged transparency and justice in the selection process.
“We will meticulously review all the requests and be fair to all promoters of state creation,” he said.
Beyond state creation, the committee also approved two other transformative reforms, independent candidacy and dedicated female legislative representation, both of which have the potential to deepen Nigeria’s democracy.
The approval of independent candidacy is expected to expand political space, allowing qualified Nigerians to contest elections without the sponsorship of political parties.
Lawmakers argued that the reform would weaken party oligarchies, promote accountability, and enhance citizens’ trust in the electoral system.
Deputy Speaker, Kalu, one of the most vocal advocates of constitutional equity, described the resolutions as “a decisive step toward a fairer and more representative federation.”
“This is not just about new states; it’s about giving Nigerians broader access to governance, whether through independent candidacy or improved gender balance,” Kalu said.
In another bold move, the committee adopted a proposal for additional legislative seats dedicated to women—one in each state of the federation and the FCT—bringing the total to 37 new seats in the House of Representatives and 36 in the Senate.
If approved, the reform would mark a turning point in Nigeria’s quest for gender inclusivity, as women currently occupy fewer than 5% of seats in the National Assembly, among the lowest representation rates in Africa.
Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) hailed the decisions as “long overdue acts of fairness,” noting that the reforms would correct structural imbalances that have long undermined unity and representation in the country.
“We have, for once, agreed to do what is just and right for all regions and for the women of Nigeria,” Ndume said.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin urged members to build consensus among colleagues and across states to ensure the reforms scale through the rigorous constitutional amendment process.
“We must strengthen what we have started so that all parts of the country key into it. By the time we vote, there should already be a national buy-in,” Jibrin said.
The committee’s decisions, centring on structural equity, democratic access, and gender representation, signal the 10th National Assembly’s resolve to confront Nigeria’s age-old constitutional imbalances and push the federation closer to inclusivity and fairness.
If successfully ratified, the proposals would not only expand the number of states to 42 but also give Nigerians new democratic options and guarantee women a stronger voice in governance, a combination analysts describe as the most far-reaching set of reforms since 1999.
*South East leaders laud FG, lawmakers over development
Meanwhile, leaders and stakeholders across the South East have commended the Federal Government and the National Assembly Joint Committee on Constitutional Review for approving the creation of an additional state in the region, describing it as a long-awaited and welcome development.
They said the decision, though belated, would address years of marginalisation, promote fairness, and place the South East on equal footing with other geopolitical zones that have six or more states.
The resolution was reached during a two-day retreat of the Joint Committee in Lagos, chaired by Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, and co-chaired by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu.
Out of 55 proposals for state creation nationwide, lawmakers agreed unanimously that fairness and equity demanded a new state for the South East — the only region currently with five states: Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo.
Former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Senator Chris Ngige, hailed the decision as “a major step in the right direction,” saying it would “assuage the pains of the civil war and long years of exclusion.”
However, he cautioned that it was only “the first step in a long constitutional journey requiring approval of both chambers of the National Assembly and endorsement by at least 24 state assemblies.”
The Imo State Commissioner for Information, Declan Emelumba, also described it as “a good development,” noting that while it was a positive move, “it still has to pass through several constitutional stages before it becomes a reality.”
He added that the state government remained cautiously optimistic that the process would be concluded successfully.
Similarly, former National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Alex Ogbonnia, lauded the lawmakers for responding to the region’s long-standing demand for equity.
“This is a step in the right direction,” he said. “The South East has been short-changed for too long, and this action reflects Nigeria’s growing commitment to fairness. I urge all state assemblies to support it because addressing inequality will help restore peace and security.”
Stakeholders across the region agreed that the move would enhance inclusiveness, promote unity, and rekindle Ndigbo’s hope in the Nigerian project.
