As Nigeria continues to refine its political structure for a more efficient democracy, the recent proposal for the creation of 31 additional states has sparked intense debate. Like all constitutional amendments, this proposal will undergo thorough legislative scrutiny, including public hearings and stakeholder engagements, before any final decision is reached.
The matter lies in balancing governance efficiency with structural sustainability. While some argue that creating more states will bring governance closer to the people, others warn of the dangers of excessive fragmentation. One prominent voice in this discussion is Professor Attahiru Jega, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and a respected democracy scholar.
In a recent interview with Arise News, Professor Jega expressed concerns about the viability of adding more states. He warned that continuous subdivision could lead to what he termed the “atomization of the Nigerian Federation.” According to him, many existing states already struggle financially, relying heavily on federal allocations. Further fragmentation, he argued, would only weaken governance structures and reduce states’ ability to generate revenue independently.
His Words: “ We already have too many states, and if we continue in the direction where every request for a new state is granted, we are moving toward what one would call the atomization of the Nigerian Federation. Someone once spoke about certain parts of Nigeria as “atomistic societies,” meaning they consist of so many small, fragmented groupings that do not work together efficiently”.
Jega emphasized that Nigeria’s primary challenge is not the number of states but the distribution of power and resources within the federal system. He advocated for a constitutional review that devolves more powers and resources to the states rather than increasing their number. He also highlighted identity politics as a major governance issue, stressing the need for constitutional measures to protect citizens’ rights irrespective of their state of origin.
Watch interview below from 9:46 timestamp.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether Nigeria will move toward restructuring its governance framework or further subdivide its states. Either way, the fundamental goal should be to enhance governance, improve resource management, and address the real needs of the people.
To Get More News, Click The Button Below.👇