Northern Minorities Advocate for Restructuring of Nigeria into Three Regions

The Coalition of Indigenous Middle Belt Organisations (CIMBO), representing Northern minority ethnic groups, has called for the restructuring of Nigeria into three distinct regions: South, Middle Belt, and North. This demand was made following a two-day conference held in Kaduna, where participants emphasized the need for a comprehensive overhaul of the nation’s structure.

At the conclusion of the conference, a communique was issued, urging the adoption of a new constitution, drafted by the people, to replace the current 1999 constitution. The communique highlighted that such restructuring, guided by the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference report, is essential for ensuring peace and sustainable development across the country.

Professor Ejeikwu Emmanuel Oloja, a key speaker at the event, presented a paper titled “The Position of the Middle Belt on Restructuring, Boundary Adjustments, and Constitutional Review.” In his presentation, Professor Oloja advocated for the division of Nigeria into the proposed regions, arguing that this would pave the way for true federalism, reduce corruption, and decrease the dependence on central government allocations, thereby encouraging greater resource control and management at the regional level.

The communique, jointly signed by CIMBO Chairman Timothy Barau Gandu and Secretary Professor Emmanuel O. Ejeikwu, stressed that the call for restructuring has become increasingly urgent. This urgency is driven by the growing ethnic diversity and the expanding population of the Middle Belt, which is estimated to have reached 44 million as of June 2024.

The conference underscored the importance of restructuring Nigeria to reflect its current realities, suggesting that such changes are vital for the nation’s continued unity and progress.