Amanze Chinonye
Nigeria’s National Assembly Joint Committee on Constitution Review has unanimously approved the creation of an additional state in the South-East geopolitical zone, a major step toward addressing long-standing concerns of political and structural imbalance in the country’s federal system.
The decision was reached during a two-day retreat held in Lagos on October 23, 2025, where the committee comprising members of both the Senate and House of Representatives reviewed 55 state creation proposals submitted across the country.
With the approval, the South-East, which currently has only five states Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo is set to attain parity with the South-South, South-West, North-Central and North-East zones, each of which has six states. The North-West remains the only zone with seven.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelDeputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, who chairs the committee, and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, who serves as co-chair, presided over the retreat that produced the resolution.
The motion for the creation of the new state was moved by Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) and seconded by Hon. Ibrahim Isiaka (Ifo/Ewekoro, Ogun State), before it was unanimously adopted by the committee.
The committee also set up a sub-committee to further examine 278 proposals submitted for additional state and local government creation nationwide.
Deputy Speaker Kalu, who hails from Abia State in the South-East, described the move as a step toward fairness and inclusion, noting that “the decision acknowledges the imbalance the South-East has faced for decades and aims to correct it.”
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For years, leaders and stakeholders from the South-East have complained about the region’s limited number of states, which they argue affects its representation in the National Assembly, federal appointments, and allocation of national resources.
The committee’s decision, however, is only the first in a long constitutional process. For the new state to become a reality, the proposal must secure the approval of two-thirds of members of both chambers of the National Assembly, endorsement by at least 24 state Houses of Assembly, and eventual assent by the President.
Senator Jibrin, in his closing remarks, emphasised that the decision was guided by the principles of equity and national unity, adding that “this marks a progressive phase in our collective efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s federal structure.”
The specific name and boundaries of the proposed state have not yet been disclosed, as consultations with stakeholders from the region are ongoing.
If successfully ratified, the new South-East state will be Nigeria’s first newly created state since 1996, when former military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, created six additional states to bring the total to 36.
The approval has been widely welcomed across the South-East, with calls for sustained engagement among lawmakers and citizens to ensure the constitutional process is completed.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
