ABUJA: The Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Constitution Review has unanimously endorsed the creation of an additional state in Nigeria’s South-East geopolitical zone.
With the development, the South-East is set to have six states putting it on equal footing with the South-South, South-West, North-Central, and North-East zones, which all currently have six states each. At present, the South-East comprises Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states, making it the only region with five.
The committee’s resolution was reached during a two-day retreat held in Lagos on Saturday, where lawmakers deliberated on 55 separate proposals for state creation across the federation.
The session was chaired by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, and co-chaired by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu. Both presiding officers emphasized the need to address the long-standing regional imbalance through fairness and equity.
Kalu, who has been a vocal advocate for an additional state in the South-East, maintained that such a move would give the people a stronger sense of inclusion in national governance.
According to a statement released by the committee’s media unit, members voted unanimously in favour of the proposal.
Following deliberations, Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) moved a motion for the creation of the new state, which was seconded by Hon.
Ibrahim Isiaka (Ifo/Ewekoro, Ogun State). The motion received full support and was adopted,” the statement read.
In addition, the joint committee set up a sub-committee to assess broader demands for the creation of new states and local government areas across all six geopolitical zones. It disclosed that a total of 278 proposals had been received for review.
Deputy Senate President Jibrin, in his remarks, urged lawmakers to sustain momentum by mobilizing support within the National Assembly and state legislatures.
He noted that the success of the process would depend on collective effort and nationwide consensus.
We must strengthen what we have started so that every part of the country is carried along,” Jibrin said.
By the time we get to the stage of actual voting, all stakeholders from both chambers and the State Houses of Assembly should already be on board.
The decision marks a major milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing constitutional reform process, rekindling conversations around regional equity, governance efficiency, and national unity.
