Otta North West, Ijebu North Central and Ughelli South are among over 100 proposed new local government areas submitted to Nigeria’s National Assembly in 2026, reflecting growing calls for decentralisation and grassroots governance
Why Otta North West, Ijebu North Central and Over 100 New LGAs Are Reshaping Nigeria’s Local Governance Debate
By Lukman OMIKUNLE
Nigeria’s push for deeper grassroots governance has taken a fresh turn as the National Assembly received a sweeping list of proposed new Local Government Areas (LGAs) in January 2026, cutting across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
Among the most prominent entries on the list is Otta North West Local Government, proposed to be carved out of the existing Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area in Ogun State, alongside Ijebu North Central and Ughelli South, as well as over 100 other proposed LGAs nationwide.
Ogun Focus: Why Otta North West and Ijebu North Central Matter
For Ogun State, the submission of Otta North West Local Government stands out as one of the most strategically significant proposals on the national list. Otta, currently under Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government, has grown into one of Nigeria’s most densely populated and industrialised urban hubs, serving as a major residential and commercial extension of Lagos. Community leaders have long argued that the sheer size, population density, and economic activity of the area have overstretched existing administrative structures
The submissions, reportedly forwarded by various interest groups, traditional stakeholders, and political actors from multiple states, reflect renewed demands for administrative expansion, decentralisation, and closer governance at the grassroots level.
Observers say the growing calls for new LGAs underscore longstanding concerns about overpopulation, uneven development, and limited access to governance structures in many existing councils. In fast-growing urban and semi-urban areas such as Otta, residents have repeatedly argued that the current local government framework no longer adequately serves their demographic and infrastructural realities.
Newsheadline247 understands that Otta North West is proposed as part of efforts to decongest the expansive Ado-Odo/Ota council and bring governance closer to communities experiencing rapid industrial, residential, and commercial growth. The area has, over the years, emerged as a major economic corridor linking Ogun State with Lagos, intensifying calls for a more responsive local administrative structure.
Similarly, proposals such as Ijebu North Central in Ogun State and Ughelli South in Delta State highlight parallel demands in other regions, where stakeholders argue that new LGAs would improve service delivery, political inclusion, revenue allocation efficiency, and local development planning.
While the National Assembly has yet to formally debate or approve the proposals, analysts note that the volume and spread of the submissions signal mounting national pressure for constitutional restructuring at the local government level. Under Nigeria’s constitution, the creation of new LGAs requires a rigorous process involving legislative approval, state endorsement, and constitutional amendment.
Political watchers also point out that the timing of the submissions aligns with broader national conversations around federalism, devolution of powers, and equitable representation, issues that have gained traction amid economic pressures and population shifts.
For now, the comprehensive list remains under consideration, but the inclusion of areas like Otta North West has already reignited local advocacy, with community leaders and civil society groups closely monitoring developments at the National Assembly. Click FULL LIST
Full List of Proposed New Local Governments by Geopolitical Zone (2026 Submissions)
North-East Geopolitical Zone
Proposals in the North-East focus largely on administrative access, post-conflict governance, and equitable development. Submissions were received from Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe States, including proposed LGAs such as Michika South, Vulpi, Suwa-Waduku, Dass West, Banki, Dadiya, Tula, and Ama, among others. Advocates argue that new LGAs would strengthen security coordination and development delivery at the community level.
North-West Geopolitical Zone
The North-West recorded one of the highest numbers of submissions, with proposals cutting across Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kano, and Niger States. Areas such as Kadira, Ayama, Diginsa, Dakaiyawa, Sarawa, Dankama, Moriki, and Nomodo-Zuni featured prominently, driven by population pressure and vast landmass concerns.
North-Central Geopolitical Zone
In the North-Central, submissions came from Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, and the FCT axis, with proposed LGAs including Agasha, Nzorov, Okura, Itobe, Assakio, Akwanga West, Gindiri, Ganawuri, Daffo, and Diko. Stakeholders cited ethnic balance, economic integration, and proximity to governance as key motivations.
South-East Geopolitical Zone
The South-East submissions, covering Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo States, focused heavily on community identity and administrative recognition. Proposed LGAs include Abiriba, Bende North, Obosi West, Ezza South, Effium, Oshiri-Ukaba, Orlu North, Orsu Central, Mbaitoli East, and Okigwe South, among several others, particularly from Imo State.
South-South Geopolitical Zone
In the South-South, proposals were submitted from Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers States, featuring proposed LGAs such as Akassa, Gbarain/Ekpetiama, Ogbia North, Ughelli South, Ughievwen, Ogoja Central, Akoko-Edo North, Ataba, and Obio/Akpor East. Oil-producing and riverine communities were strongly represented.
South-West Geopolitical Zone
The South-West submissions cut across Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Lagos interface areas, and Kwara border communities, with proposals including Otta North West, Ijebu North Central, Remo Central, Ogijo, Gbonyin East, Oke-Ogun North, Ibadan Central, Lagoon State (Lagos–Ogun axis), and Igbomina State.
Observers note that the South-West proposals were largely driven by urban sprawl, industrial expansion, and cross-border population migration, particularly around Lagos-adjacent corridors. Read More
