National Assembly Considers Creation of 55 New States, 278 Local Governments in Ongoing Constitutional Review

The National Assembly has commenced deliberations on far-reaching constitutional amendments that include proposals for the creation of 55 new states and 278 additional local government areas across Nigeria.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by Ismail Mudashir, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin.

According to the statement, Barau made the remarks at the opening of a two-day joint retreat of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, held in Lagos.

Reaffirming the legislature’s commitment to a “people-centred and timely” constitutional amendment process, Barau, who chairs the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, charged lawmakers to ensure that the first set of proposed amendments is transmitted to state Houses of Assembly before the end of the year.

“It has been a long journey bringing together the Senate and House of Representatives’ constitutional amendment proposals that touch on several sections and diverse subject matters,” Barau said.

He explained that the review process, ongoing for the past two years, has involved extensive consultations with citizens, stakeholders, civil society organisations, and interest groups through town halls, public hearings, and interactive sessions.

“These engagements have produced what we have before us today—69 bills, 55 state creation requests, two boundary adjustment proposals, and 278 requests for new local government areas,” he added.

Barau acknowledged that resolving the numerous issues within the two-day retreat would be challenging but expressed confidence that lawmakers could meet the target, given their pledge to deliver the first batch of amendments before year-end.

He also urged members to approach the exercise with patriotism and unity, stressing the importance of prioritising national interest over partisan or sectional considerations.

“We are here as one committee—there should be no ‘we’ and ‘them’. Let us be guided by what best serves Nigerians,” Barau said, expressing hope that the committee’s recommendations would meet the constitutional approval requirements under Section 9.