The dream of creating a new state called Anioma in Nigeria is closer to becoming a reality. Right now, 97 Senators—more than two-thirds of the Nigerian Senate—have come out in strong support of the proposal.
The goal is to make Anioma State the sixth state in the South-East region of Nigeria. This movement is being led by Senator Ned Nwoko, who represents Delta North Senatorial District. He is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the country’s ruling political party.
On May 27, 2025, Senator Nwoko wrote a letter to the Senate President and all other Senators. In that letter, he asked them to support the creation of Anioma State. He explained that the new state would promote fairness, justice, national growth, and equal development across Nigeria.
The request to create Anioma State has now become a formal bill in the Senate, known as Senate Bill 481. It’s currently being discussed as part of the process to update Nigeria’s Constitution.
To create a new state in Nigeria, the Constitution says that at least 67 out of the 109 Senators must support the idea—that’s two-thirds of the Senate. With 97 Senators already in support, the proposal has already passed that requirement. In fact, more Senators are expected to join in the coming weeks.
Some of the powerful lawmakers supporting Anioma State include:
- Senator Barau Jibrin (Deputy Senate President)
- Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (Senate Leader)
- Senator Abba Patrick Moro (Senate Minority Leader)
- Senator Adams Oshiomhole (former Governor of Edo State)
- Senator Seriake Dickson (former Governor of Bayelsa State)
- Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (former Governor of Abia State)
- Senator Victor Umeh (respected Southeast political leader)
- Senator Gbenga Daniel (former Governor of Ogun State)
- Senator Ireti Kingibe (represents the Federal Capital Territory)
- Senator Simon Lalong (former Governor of Plateau State)
- Senator Tony Nwoye (represents Anambra North)
These Senators—and many others—believe that Anioma deserves to be a state of its own, and they are working together to make that happen.
This strong support shows that Anioma State is not just a local idea. It’s gaining national attention and could soon become one of Nigeria’s officially recognized states—if the proposal also gets approved in the House of Representatives and by the President.
For many people in Delta North and the Southeast, this is a big step toward greater inclusion and fairness in Nigeria’s political map.
