By Ademola Adekusibe
October 27, 2025.
Nigeria is on course to get six additional states following the approval of a proposal by the National Assembly Joint Committee on Constitution Review.
The approval was reached during a two-day retreat held in Lagos, co-chaired by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu.
After extensive deliberations, the committee unanimously agreed to recommend the creation of one new state in each of the six geopolitical zones — the North West, North East, North Central, South West, South East, and South South.
This recommendation followed a review of 55 separate memoranda requesting new states, alongside 69 bills, two boundary adjustment proposals, and 278 petitions for the creation of additional local government areas.
Once the proposal passes through the next legislative stages and constitutional procedures, Nigeria’s total number of states will rise from 36 to 42.
Speaking at the retreat, Senator Barau Jibrin described the development as the culmination of an extensive national engagement process.
“For the past two years, we have consulted widely with citizens, institutions, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders through town hall meetings, interactive sessions, and public hearings. The submissions gathered from these engagements formed the foundation of our current recommendations,” he said.
The committee’s report will now be presented to the full Senate and House of Representatives for debate and adoption.
If approved, the new structure will balance Nigeria’s federal composition, ensuring parity among all six geopolitical zones.
