The establishment of twelve new states in Nigeria, spanning the country's six geopolitical zones, has been formally approved by the Senate, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria's history of enhanced equity, representation, and grassroots governance. This historic decision, the culmination of numerous discussions, is a direct result of decades of activism by various communities demanding greater political representation and autonomy.
The Senate Committee on State Creation adopted a thorough report, which was read a third and final time on July 17, 2025, before approval. Public hearings, questionnaires, and interviews with many stakeholders around the country went into the committee's final report. A variety of groups and individuals, including state governments, traditional rulers, civil society organizations, and grassroots movements, were pushing for the decentralization of power.
Nigeria is now dealing with demographic and administrative issues, and there have been ongoing calls for greater equity and political representation among the many ethnic and regional groups that make up the federation. This legislative action is a response to those requests.
States and Zones New to the Union
A further indication of inclusivity and balanced growth is the distribution of the 12 new states among Nigeria's six geo-political zones. The following is an exhaustive list of the states that will be formed from the current ones, as well as the new ones:
The following are the proposed new states:
South West:
Ijebu State (from Ogun State)
Ibadan State (from Oyo State)
South East:
Anim State (from Parts of Anambra and Imo States)
Adada State (from Enugu State)
South South:
Toru-Ibe State (from Sections of Ondo, Edo, and Delta States)
Obolo State (from Akwa Ibom State)
North East:
Savanna State (from Borno State)
Amana State (from Adamawa State)
North West:
Tiga State (from Kano State)
Gurara State (from Southern Kaduna)
North Central:
Okura State (from Kogi State),
Apa State (from Benue State).
This geographic arrangement indicates a conscious effort by lawmakers to correct regional disparities and establish a more balanced political and administrative setup across Nigeria.
The Senate’s judgment is expected to have wide-reaching consequences on Nigeria’s political landscape. By forming additional states, the government wants to:
Promote equal representation: More states mean increased political voice and representation for previously underrepresented groups in both state and federal administration.
Improve local governance: Smaller, more manageable administrative entities enable administration that is closer and more responsive to the demands of citizens, which can encourage effective public service delivery.
Foster national unity and inclusiveness: Recognizing diverse groups through state creation decreases feelings of marginalization, therefore strengthening the fabric of Nigeria’s federal system.
Address long-standing regional demands: The establishment of new states fulfills pressing political and developmental objectives that have been the objects of agitations for years.
Experts argue that these new states will help decentralize resources and political power, which could aid economic development and conflict reduction in restive or neglected areas.
While the approval by the Senate is significant, actualizing the creation of new states will require constitutional revisions, logistical arrangements, and other legal processes. This includes:
Referendums: According to Nigeria’s Constitution, the establishment of new states needs not just the consent of the National Assembly but also a referendum where the affected populace must agree to the new states.
Financial considerations: Establishing new state governments involves large financial resources for administrative setup, including staff, infrastructure, and public services.
Political discussions: There will be intricate negotiations between federal and state governments, traditional rulers, and political actors to ensure a seamless transition and avoid disagreements.
The Senate has indicated that an official government gazette defining the names, boundaries, and administrative structures of the new states will be released soon, followed by preparations to commence the consultative referendums.
The decision by the Senate has prompted a surge of responses across Nigeria. Many local leaders and grassroots groups that long championed these projects have greeted the move as a triumph for democracy and grassroots empowerment.
Prominent senators and politicians participating in the process, including Senator Prince Ned Nwoko, have underlined the significance of the development, portraying it as a watershed achievement that will alter governance in Nigeria.
On social media and news platforms, emotions vary from joy in the new state regions to cautious optimism elsewhere, with calls for careful implementation and attention to potential obstacles.
Nigeria now has 36 states, a number that has varied through earlier constructions spanning several decades aimed at managing ethnic diversity and administrative efficiency. The establishment of 12 new states represents one of the most major restructurings of the country’s federal entities since the early 1990s.
This move may also create a precedent for future disputes concerning Nigeria’s federal system, with some politicians and communities already making recommendations for further state creations or boundary revisions.
The Nigerian Senate’s adoption of 12 new states on July 17, 2025, symbolizes a big step in resolving the country’s complicated ethno-political environment by fostering more inclusiveness, representation, and growth. While obstacles remain surrounding legitimacy, money, and logistics, the decision nonetheless marks a new chapter in Nigeria’s goal of equitable federalism and heightened grassroots governance.
As implementation plans emerge, all eyes will remain on how these new states help define Nigeria’s future governance and socio-political peace.
Post a Comment