<p><!-- BEGIN THEIA POST SLIDER --></p>
<!-- WP QUADS Content Ad Plugin v. 2.0.95 -->
<div class="quads-location quads-ad4" id="quads-ad4" style="float:none;margin:0px;">

</div>

<p> ;</p><div class="D70uVmFP" style="clear:both;float:left;width:100%;margin:0 0 20px 0;"><script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>

<!-- TV -->

<ins class="adsbygoogle"

 style="display:block"

 data-ad-client="ca-pub-4403533287178375"

 data-ad-slot="4399361195"

 data-ad-format="auto"

 data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins>

<script>

 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

</script></div>
<p>By Jamilu Abdussalam Hajaj</p><div class="95RxxA6u" style="clear:both;float:left;width:100%;margin:0 0 20px 0;"><script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>

<!-- TV -->

<ins class="adsbygoogle"

 style="display:block"

 data-ad-client="ca-pub-4403533287178375"

 data-ad-slot="4399361195"

 data-ad-format="auto"

 data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins>

<script>

 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

</script></div>
<p>As Nigeria embarks once again on the long and complex journey of constitutional review, one of the most debated issues on the table is the creation of additional states. For many communities, the aspiration to become a state is tied to hopes of autonomy, visibility, and development. Yet, beneath this ambition lies a deeper national question, ‘is creating more states the path to justice and inclusion or is it time to institutionalize rotational power sharing across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones?’</p>
<p>This article reflects on both proposals, highlighting their promises, limitations, and the deeper issues they represent.</p>
<p>My Argument for Additional States</p><div class="TkH6uYoY" style="clear:both;float:left;width:100%;margin:0 0 20px 0;"><script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>

<ins class="adsbygoogle"

 style="display:block; text-align:center;"

 data-ad-layout="in-article"

 data-ad-format="fluid"

 data-ad-client="ca-pub-4403533287178375"

 data-ad-slot="6550225277"></ins>

<script>

 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

</script></div>
<p>Nigeria’s federation currently comprises 36 states, many of which were carved out over decades as responses to ethnic, religious, or regional agitations. Advocates for further state creation believe it is a matter of equity and access. They argue that some ethnic groups and regions remain underrepresented in the current structure, and that new states would bring development closer to the people, allow for greater political inclusion, and correct historic imbalances.</p>
<!-- WP QUADS Content Ad Plugin v. 2.0.95 -->
<div class="quads-location quads-ad4" id="quads-ad4" style="float:none;margin:0px;">

</div>

<p>Indeed, the desire for new states is not necessarily driven by greed or politics alone. For some communities, it is a call for recognition, a plea to exist within the Nigerian framework not as a footnote, but as a fully empowered stakeholder.</p>
<p>However, several concerns arise:<br />
• Economic Cost: New states mean new bureaucracies, more state assemblies, more ministries, and more overhead. In a country struggling with debt, dwindling revenues, corruption and unmet obligations, can we afford to multiply costs and corruption based centres?<br />
• Administrative Bloat: Many existing states are already barely viable, surviving largely on federal allocations. More states might worsen dependency rather than foster self-reliance.<br />
• Ethnic Fragmentation: State creation has often deepened ethnic divisions rather than healed them. It sometimes leads to new minority agitations within the newly created states, perpetuating a cycle of unrest.</p>
<!-- WP QUADS Content Ad Plugin v. 2.0.95 -->
<div class="quads-location quads-ad1" id="quads-ad1" style="float:none;margin:0px;">

</div>

<p>The Case for Rotational Power Sharing</p>
<p>An alternative to expanding the political map is institutionalizing a rotational presidency across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Though informally practiced through the principle of “zoning” within political parties, it is not yet part of Nigeria’s constitutional framework.</p>
<p>Codifying rotational leadership would mean every region has a fair and equal opportunity to produce the president of the country within a set timeframe. This could reduce political tensions, foster national integration, and allow each zone to bring its unique perspective to the leadership of the nation.</p>
<p>Key strengths of rotational power sharing include:<br />
• Symbolic Unity: It affirms that Nigeria belongs to all, not just those with the numbers or economic clout.<br />
• Predictable Equity: Each region knows it will eventually have its turn, reducing zero-sum competition.<br />
• National Confidence: It restores faith in the union, especially in regions that have long felt sidelined, like the Ibos in the South East.</p>
<p>Yet this approach also raises valid questions:<br />
• What about merit? Critics argue that such a system may sideline the most capable candidates in favor of regional balancing.<br />
• Would it work in a presidential system? Some say power rotation fits better in a parliamentary setup, where leadership can be more fluid and consensus-driven.<br />
• Would it be abused? There’s a risk of zoning being used to recycle political elites rather than foster competent, visionary leadership.</p>
<p>Beyond Structure: The Soul of the Nation</p>
<p>While both state creation and rotational presidency speak to representation, what Nigeria ultimately needs is not more structures, but a stronger system built on fairness, accountability, and national consciousness.</p>
<p>The truth is, a nation is not built by drawing more borders but by deepening bonds. State creation may offer short-term appeasement, but only a governance culture rooted in justice, inclusion, and power balance can sustain long-term unity.</p>
<p>As we debate the constitutional future of Nigeria, we must ask ourselves: Are we solving the real problem, or simply redrawing the map again? Creating more states may give communities a sense of identity, but unless power is shared and governance is reformed, we risk building more administrative houses without a home.</p>
<p>Perhaps the best path is not one or the other, but a balanced blend of both. Let us refine the structure of our federation while also ensuring that leadership reflects the diversity and dignity of all Nigerians.</p>
<p>Only then can we begin to build the Nigeria we all deserve.</p>
<p><!-- END THEIA POST SLIDER -->
<!-- WP QUADS Content Ad Plugin v. 2.0.95 -->
<div class="quads-location quads-ad5" id="quads-ad5" style="float:none;margin:0px;">

</div>
</p>
<script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>

<ins class="adsbygoogle"

 style="display:block"

 data-ad-format="autorelaxed"

 data-ad-client="ca-pub-4403533287178375"

 data-ad-slot="1004305389"></ins>

<script>

 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

</script>
<!-- WP QUADS Content Ad Plugin v. 2.0.95 -->
<div class="quads-location quads-ad3" id="quads-ad3" style="float:none;margin:0px;">

</div>


