Six New States Proposed as Lawmakers Push for Restructuring — Fresh Outrage Over South East Shortfall
The joint committee of the Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives has recommended the creation of six additional states, a major constitutional proposal that could redraw Nigeria’s political structure. The resolution, PulseNets learnt, was reached at the end of a two-day legislative retreat in Lagos co-chaired by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.
According to documents obtained by PulseNets, lawmakers examined 69 bills, including 55 requests for new states, two boundary adjustment proposals, and 278 applications for new local government areas before unanimously resolving that each geopolitical zone should receive one new state. If adopted, Nigeria’s state count would rise from 36 to 42.
The recommendation means each zone would gain an additional state: North West, North East, North Central, South West, South South and South East. South South and South West would move to seven states each, North East and North Central would also have seven, while the North West would climb to eight. The South East—which currently has the least—would increase from five to six.
The North Central tally would reach seven when the Federal Capital Territory is considered alongside Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger and Plateau. The North East’s existing states include Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe, while the North West maintains Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara. The South East presently comprises Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo. South South hosts Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers—same as the South West.
For years, conversations around state creation have centered on balancing representation, with the South East repeatedly insisting that its five-state structure reflects political marginalisation. Many stakeholders believe an additional state is critical for equity.
However, the joint committee’s recommendation—one per zone—has triggered fresh concerns among political actors who argue that the imbalance may actually widen since one region would now have eight states, most others seven, while the South East would remain the only region with six.
Elder statesman Dr. Chike Obidigbo, reacting to the development, told PulseNets he was more worried about the growing tension over where the new state in the South East should emerge from. He urged restraint, warning that divisive arguments could undermine the region’s cohesion.
According to him, “This quarrel over which part of the South East should get the new state is unnecessary. We risk allowing political gamesmanship to turn a genuine quest for structural justice into conflict among our own people.”
Obidigbo noted that Adada has long been one of the oldest demands, but debates around Etiti State—drawn from homogenous communities across the five South East states—have also gained traction. He stressed the need for Ohanaeze Ndigbo to coordinate a unified regional position.
He added, “If Etiti State is prioritised, then Anioma could follow later when other zones are again considered. But with democratic processes now requiring a referendum, I’m unsure the Delta State House of Assembly would vote to detach Anioma into the South East.”
The elder statesman also claimed that some external political interests were fuelling the Anioma debate for divisive purposes.
He explained, “Geography must matter. If Igbanke people in Edo or Igbo communities in Benue and Kogi wish to join certain proposals, that’s for our leaders to evaluate. But let’s remember—politicians will ultimately vote where their ambitions feel safest.”
Dr. Chuka Nnabuife, Managing Director of the Anambra State Civic and Social Reformation Office, also reacted to the committee’s recommendation. He opposed framing the conversation as one of marginalisation but insisted on fairness.
Speaking further, he told PulseNets, “I commend the National Assembly for recognising the need for more states. Expanding administrative units doesn’t weaken a nation—just as expanding a business doesn’t hurt its parent company. In fact, more states create more opportunities for development.”
However, he emphasised the importance of equitable distribution.
Also Read: Oyedele Warns States: Rising Revenues, Deepening Poverty — Fiscal Reforms Needed for Real Prosperity
He stated, “What we need is balance. Some regions have seven states, others six, but the South East has just five. If every zone gets one more, the inequality remains. Equity demands that the South East gets two additional states while others get one—or none, in the case of zones that already have seven.”
Nnabuife argued that if lawmakers truly want justice, “the South East should receive two states, not one, because fairness means addressing the longstanding shortfall, not perpetuating it.”
