In a surprise move over the weekend, the Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Constitution Review has approved the creation of additional state in the South-East geo-political zone, moving the long-standing demand for equity and balance among the regions closer to reality.

A statement released on Saturday by the committee’s media unit, the decision was reached at the end of a two-day retreat held in Lagos, where lawmakers deliberated on 55 proposals for new states across the country.

The session, chaired by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and co-chaired by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, resolved that the creation of a new state in the South-East was essential to ensure fairness and political parity among Nigeria’s six geo-political zones.

Kalu, who has been a strong advocate for an additional state in the region, emphasized that the move would give the South-East “a greater sense of belonging” in the Nigerian federation.

“This decision aligns with the principles of equity and balance. A new state will correct the long-standing structural disparity affecting the South-East,” Kalu said.

When established, the South-East will have six states, bringing it in line with the South-South, South-West, North-Central, and North-East zones.

Currently, the region has five states namely; Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo, making it the only zone with fewer than six states.

The North-West remains the largest with seven states; Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Jigawa.

The motion for the new state was sponsored by Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) and seconded by Ibrahim Isiaka (Ifo/Ewekoro, Ogun State).

According to the committee, the proposal received unanimous support from members and was duly adopted.

In addition, the committee established a sub-committee on state and local government creation to evaluate the 278 proposals submitted nationwide.

Deputy Senate President Jibrin called on members to intensify lobbying efforts within the National Assembly and among state Houses of Assembly to ensure the resolutions pass during the constitutional amendment process.

“We need to sustain the momentum so that by the time voting begins, all stakeholders from both chambers and the states will be on board,” Jibrin said.

The committee’s recommendation marks a significant step in addressing long-standing regional imbalance and could reshape Nigeria’s political map, if ratified in the next constitutional amendment process.