In a country where a single WhatsApp broadcast can ignite family debates and send village elders scrambling to hold emergency meetings, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has come forward with a calm but firm message: “No, Nigeria is not getting new states… at least, not yet.”
During Tuesday’s plenary session, Akpabio addressed growing noise online — and offline — claiming that the National Assembly had approved the creation of several new states. The source? Rumours flying across social media platforms, especially in community groups where forwarded messages are treated like gospel.
The Senate President made it clear that while proposals for new states are indeed pouring in — a whopping 42 at the last count — none of them has moved past the early stages of consideration.
“I have seen over 42 proposals, but not one has gone through full deliberation,” Akpabio said, with the tone of a teacher trying to correct a very stubborn student.
And he’s not wrong. Creating a new state in Nigeria isn’t as simple as drawing lines on a map or calling a few elders together for pounded yam and politics. It involves constitutional changes, National Assembly approval, support from two-thirds of the states, and even a referendum. It’s a legal marathon, not a Twitter sprint.
Still, in many communities across Nigeria, whispers of new states have led to over-excitement. In some places, meetings have already been held, banners printed, and names for future governors suggested — as if elections were tomorrow.
But Akpabio has issued a strong warning.
“It is premature and misleading for anyone to act otherwise,” he said, cautioning groups against organising rallies or mobilising for states that do not officially exist.
Senator Abdul Ningi from Bauchi Central had raised the concern during the session, urging the Senate to clarify matters to avoid public confusion. His fears were not unfounded. Some of the fake news has already caused tension in communities jostling over which town gets to be the new state capital.
Akpabio’s words were clear: until the tough constitutional process is followed completely — and that includes presidential assent — no new state can be considered a reality.
For now, Nigerians are advised to “shine their eyes” and not jump to conclusions based on forwarded texts or unofficial news. If there’s one thing Akpabio wants the public to take away, it’s this:
“No new state has been approved by the Senate. Rely only on official communication from the National Assembly.”
So next time someone sends you a message claiming your village is about to become the new capital of “Giwa State,” maybe ask for proof — and not the kind that comes with 15 exclamation marks and a blurry logo.
Until then, Nigeria remains a federation of 36 states — no more, no less. At least for now.
