2026 geo-political zone agenda: a transformative blueprint or a risk to national unity?

By Ibrahim Nasiru

“Necessity knows no law, but it makes a law for itself.”

This maxim frames the current national debate as Nigeria’s National Assembly Committee on Constitution Review moves toward a landmark restructuring of the federation.

Central to this discussion is a proposal to elevate the six geopolitical zones into official constitutional organs, effectively creating a four-tier administrative structure.

The case for this shift rests on the need for true fiscal federalism.

Under the proposed framework, states would retain 50 per cent of their generated revenue, with geopolitical zones receiving 15 per cent to fund regional security and independent power grids.

Proponents argue that this would transform zones into competitive engines of growth, ending decades of “beggar-state” dependence on federal allocations.

It also promises a “rebalancing” of the union, exemplified by the National Assembly’s recent nod to create an additional state in the South East to ensure regional parity.

However, the proposal faces significant skepticism. Critics, including analysts from the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), warn that adding a fourth layer of government and increasing the number of states from 36 to 42 would deepen financial strain and expand an already costly bureaucracy.

There are also concerns that institutionalising regional power could inadvertently fuel ethnic polarization or weaken the federal bond.

The sequence of such a monumental reform requires careful management.

Lawmakers have suggested a phased migration toward this new fiscal model, aiming for full implementation by 2040.

To avoid national friction, there is a growing call for a National Dialogue to ensure that any restructuring is rooted in equity and collective survival rather than political expediency.

Ultimately, the choice lies between a struggling status quo and a radical, decentralized future that balances regional empowerment with national unity.

Chief Ibrahim Nasiru
A Public Affairs Analyst writes from Abuja, Nigeria.