Bauchi Government Creates 29 New Local Councils, Seeks NASS Approval

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has officially signed into law legislation creating 29 additional Local Government Areas (LGAs), increasing the state’s number of constitutionally recognized councils from 20 to 49.

The bill, approved by the Bauchi State House of Assembly, has now been submitted to the National Assembly as part of the ongoing constitutional review process Under the proposed amendment, Bauchi would require the National Assembly’s ratification before the new LGAs could receive federal recognition and benefit from statutory allocations. A letter from the Acting Deputy Clerk of the House of Assembly forwarded the bill to the Committee on Constitution Review for evaluation. Officials defending the proposal say the creation of new LGAs is aimed at improving grassroots administration and ensuring that government services reach underserved communities more effectively. With an estimated population of more than 10 million, Bauchi State argues that its current council structure is insufficient for equitable governance and delivery If approved federally, the expansion would require amendments to Nigeria’s Constitution to include the new councils in the provisions that regulate federal transfers and define the legal status of local government. While the National Assembly considers the proposal, observers have noted that implementing such a change would involve setting up revenue streams, electoral arrangements, staffing frameworks, and could potentially face legal or political challenges. The request coincides with a broader wave of state-level proposals under the constitution-review exercise, as multiple states seek approval for new states, local governments and traditional-institution reforms nationwide.