THE 42-STATE RESTRUCTURING PLAN: IF TINUBU MAKES THIS REAL, I WILL PERSONALLY COMMEND HIM

THE 42-STATE RESTRUCTURING PLAN: IF TINUBU MAKES THIS REAL, I WILL PERSONALLY COMMEND HIM

A document titled “Nigeria Geo-Political Zone Bill 2026” is spreading rapidly across social media—and its proposals are nothing short of revolutionary.

But let us establish the truth before emotions take over: I have not found evidence that President Bola Tinubu has approved this document or that the National Assembly has passed it. It appears to be a restructuring proposal associated with commentator Ayo Akinfe, not yet an official law.

That clarification, however, should not prevent us from discussing the ideas inside it.

The proposal wants Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to become constitutionally recognized governments operating between the federal and state levels. It also proposes increasing Nigeria from 36 to 42 states, with seven states in every zone.

Under the suggested revenue arrangement:

🔹 States would retain 50%
🔹 The Federation Account would receive 20%
🔹 Geopolitical zones would receive 15%
🔹 A National Trust Fund would receive 15%

The zones would reportedly coordinate regional policing, electricity, transportation, specialist healthcare and other major services.

For the Southeast, the proposal lists: No. Geopolitical Zone State Proposed Capital 1 South-South Bayelsa State Yenagoa 2 South-South West Izon State Patani 3 South-South Rivers State Port Harcourt 4 South-South Cross River State Calabar 5 South-South Akwa Ibom State Uyo 6 South-South Edo State Benin City 7 South-South Delta State Warri 8 Northeast Mambilla State Gashaka 9 Northeast Taraba State Jalingo 10 Northeast Adamawa State Yola 11 Northeast Borno State Maiduguri 12 Northeast Yobe State Damaturu 13 Northeast Bauchi State Bauchi 14 Northeast Gombe State Gombe 15 Southeast Anioma State Asaba 16 Southeast Orashi State Omoku 17 Southeast Anambra State Awka 18 Southeast Imo State Owerri 19 Southeast Enugu State Enugu 20 Southeast Abia State Umuahia 21 Southeast Ebonyi State Abakaliki 22 North-Central Abuja State Abuja 23 North-Central Gurara State Kafanchan 24 North-Central Benue State Makurdi 25 North-Central Plateau State Jos 26 North-Central Nasarawa State Lafia 27 North-Central Kogi State Lokoja 28 North-Central Niger State Minna 29 Southwest Odo Oya State Ilorin 30 Southwest Oyo State Ibadan 31 Southwest Ogun State Abeokuta 32 Southwest Lagos State Ikeja 33 Southwest Ondo State Akure 34 Southwest Ekiti State Ado-Ekiti 35 Southwest Osun State Osogbo 36 Northwest Sokoto State Sokoto 37 Northwest Kebbi State Birnin Kebbi 38 Northwest Kaduna State Kaduna 39 Northwest Katsina State Katsina 40 Northwest Kano State Kano 41 Northwest Jigawa State Dutse 42 Northwest Zamfara State Gusau

On paper, this could answer some long-standing complaints about regional imbalance—particularly the Southeast’s smaller number of states. It could also move economic and security decisions closer to the people instead of leaving almost everything in Abuja.

If President Tinubu genuinely introduces and successfully delivers a fair restructuring programme of this magnitude, I will personally commend him. Political differences should never prevent us from acknowledging a reform that benefits the country.

But we must also ask difficult questions.

Will adding a zonal government reduce bureaucracy—or merely create another expensive tier filled with political appointees?

Can states receiving 50% of revenue become genuinely productive, or will some continue waiting for money generated elsewhere?

Who will control the regional police, and what safeguards will stop governors from using them against political opponents?

Most importantly, how were the proposed states, capitals and boundaries selected—and were the affected communities consulted?

Nigeria needs restructuring, but restructuring cannot be achieved through a viral social-media announcement. It requires a documented bill, transparent public hearings, approval by the National Assembly and the constitutionally required support of state legislatures.

So, I welcome the debate, but I will reserve my full commendation until the Presidency or National Assembly officially confirms the plan.

If this proposal became real, would it strengthen Nigeria—or simply create another layer of government and expenditure?

Let us discuss it without insults.